Paper Sharing: Virtual Synchronous Generator Control Integrated into a Microgrid

We are pleased to introduce the paper “Virtual Synchronous Generator Control Integrated into a Microgrid” written by Miriam Elizabeth Lucero - Tenorio， Enric Torán， Raúl González-Medina, Emilio Figueres and Gabriel Garcerá from Universitat Politècnica de València.

The paper was presented at the 2023 IEEE Seventh Ecuador Technical Chapters Meeting (ECTM).

Know more about this paper:

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10308801

Brief introduction:

Virtual synchronous generators (VSGs) play a crucial role in this context by facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources and enhancing system stability amidst voltage and frequency fluctuations in the grid. Distributed generation can be categorized into two common scenarios: multiple renewable energy sources connected to independent power sources or to the electrical grid while supplying power to an equivalent total load.

This study explores grid-connected and islanded operations, analyzing how two VSGs with different characteristics operate in parallel with their own control strategies. DSIM is used to develop and simulate dynamic and control models of VSGs under "On-grid" and "Off-grid" cases. “Simulation results demonstrate these connections’ effectiveness when appropriate control criteria are followed, showing their potential in practical applications.”

Modeling and simulation of virtual synchronous generators (VSGs) using DSIM

In this paper, DSIM is used to develop dynamic and control models for two VSGs operating in parallel with specific loads under "On-grid" and "Off-grid" cases. Implementing Q-V and P-ω control strategies establishes a robust method to maintain stable frequency and voltage levels in microgrids.

In both cases, active and reactive power measurements are taken from the load to provide feedback signals for the droop controllers. Moreover, feedback from the output voltage and current signals of each Virtual Synchronous Generator (VSG) ensures effective control over voltage and current.

The paper uses DSIM to simulate and analyze the following three scenarios:

1. “On-grid connection”: Simulation results indicate that despite brief oscillations during initial connection, VSG stabilizes to provide stable frequency and voltage output, effectively supplying power to the grid and loads, ensuring precise power transmission and control.
2. “ON-grid connection with one load”: Even if a load connected to the grid (ON-Grid) experiences disconnection or other anomalies, the control of Virtual Synchronous Generators (VSG) continues to function normally. The paper also uses figures to illustrate inverter voltage, current response, as well as active and reactive power situations, demonstrating stable performance during detection processes.
3. “Off-grid connection with one load”: In this case, two Virtual Synchronous Generators (VSG) jointly regulate grid frequency. By selecting appropriate parameters, system stability and performance are ensured. Simulation results show the evolution of frequency, voltage and current responses for each VSG, as well as the distribution of active and reactive power.