Enhancing the AC network stability with a grid-forming control for single-stage PV inverter

Abstract

This article proposes a PLL-less grid-forming (GFor) control for a PV central power plant topology designed to maintain the DC voltage and improve the AC voltage stability. The PV single-stage or central topology stands as the most widely adopted power plant structure. However, no GFor control capable of regulating the DC bus has yet been proposed for this layout. This work presents a PLL-less GFor control that can effectively control the DC voltage for a single-stage PV inverter, whether it operates at the Maximum Power Point (MPP) or with reserve. Moreover, this control can incorporate Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controls typically employed in grid-following structures. The primary advantage of this GFor control is the voltage support and stability it provides and the capability of working with a low Short Circuit Ratio (SCR). The performance and viability of the proposed control was analysed with several simulations of various faults (symmetrical and asymmetrical), frequency (large phase jump and frequency excursion with high ROCOF) and resource events (irradiation changes and DC voltage reference tracking analysis). The results demonstrate that the proposed GFor control presented not only meets the grid-code requirements but also exhibits the behaviour expected during the different analysed events.