Analytical investigation of factors affecting small-signal stability of grid-connected VSC

Abstract

This paper provides an analytical investigation of the small-signal stability of the grid-connected voltage source converter (VSC) as well as the impacts of the system resistances. The dynamic model of the studied system is first established, and the characteristic function is derived from the linearized model. Based on the characteristic function, the analytical relationships between the system resistances and the dominated pole are obtained utilizing the analytical sensitivity approach. It is found that the line resistance can provide positive damping for the oscillation mode, improving the system stability, while the converter resistance will worsen the system stability. Generally, the line resistance has an evident more substantial impact on the stability of the grid-connected VSC than the converter resistance. The stability analysis results of the grid-connected VSC conducted by ignoring the system resistances are conservative. Ulteriorly, the characteristic function is simplified by neglecting the system resistances, and a sufficient and analytical stability criterion is established from the simplified characteristic function using the Routh Judgement. It exhibits the constraint condition among controller parameters, electrical distance and operation conditions for ensuring system stability. Moreover, the power transmission limitation of the converter affected by the controller parameters and electrical distance is obtained from the derived stability criterion. The small perturbation analysis and electromagnetic transient simulation give a demonstration to the analysis.