Overcurrent Limitation and Enhanced Fault Current Utilization by Grid-Forming Inverter Using Hybrid Methods During Short Circuit Faults

The next-generation grid-forming (GFM) inverters face significant over-current and over-voltage challenges during grid faults due to their inherent voltage source behaviour behind impedance. These challenges are mitigated by simultaneously reconstructing power, voltage, or current references fed to...

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Main Authors: Jack Benjamin, Animesh Kumar Sahoo, Pratyasa Bhui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
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Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10944802/
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author Jack Benjamin
Animesh Kumar Sahoo
Pratyasa Bhui
author_facet Jack Benjamin
Animesh Kumar Sahoo
Pratyasa Bhui
author_sort Jack Benjamin
collection DOAJ
description The next-generation grid-forming (GFM) inverters face significant over-current and over-voltage challenges during grid faults due to their inherent voltage source behaviour behind impedance. These challenges are mitigated by simultaneously reconstructing power, voltage, or current references fed to different control layers in a coordinated way, known as the hybrid method. However, existing hybrid methods fail to 1) ensure maximum fault current utilization and 2) provide improved post-fault recovery. This paper proposes two new hybrid methods to address these limitations. The first method employs a novel non-linear transient virtual resistance (NLTVR) combined with reconstructed power references for symmetrical faults. An extension of NLTVR, referred to as unified NLTVR (UNLTVR), is introduced to handle both symmetrical and asymmetrical faults. By integrating NLTVR or UNLTVR with reconstructed power references based on grid fault severity, the inverter operates near its maximum current limit during faults while preserving GFM functionality, ensuring smooth post-fault power recovery without exceeding reference values. The second method combines the sinusoidal current reference limiter (SCRL) with the proposed UNLTVR. The proposed schemes are implemented in a droop-controlled GFM inverter modelled in the stationary reference frame. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated through MATLAB/Simulink simulations of symmetrical and asymmetrical faults, supported by a Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (CHIL) experiment. The proposed methods are also compared with conventional current-limiting methods. It is revealed that the SCRL achieves maximum fault current capability faster, while the combined efforts of the UNLTVR help the GFM inverter to experience a seamless post-fault recovery.
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spelling doaj-art-22c08a0f305e45aaa0a868121292165e2025-08-20T02:08:57ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-0113588705888610.1109/ACCESS.2025.355581710944802Overcurrent Limitation and Enhanced Fault Current Utilization by Grid-Forming Inverter Using Hybrid Methods During Short Circuit FaultsJack Benjamin0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8403-3118Animesh Kumar Sahoo1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4431-3848Pratyasa Bhui2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8438-208XIndian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka, IndiaIndian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka, IndiaIndian Institute of Technology Dharwad, Dharwad, Karnataka, IndiaThe next-generation grid-forming (GFM) inverters face significant over-current and over-voltage challenges during grid faults due to their inherent voltage source behaviour behind impedance. These challenges are mitigated by simultaneously reconstructing power, voltage, or current references fed to different control layers in a coordinated way, known as the hybrid method. However, existing hybrid methods fail to 1) ensure maximum fault current utilization and 2) provide improved post-fault recovery. This paper proposes two new hybrid methods to address these limitations. The first method employs a novel non-linear transient virtual resistance (NLTVR) combined with reconstructed power references for symmetrical faults. An extension of NLTVR, referred to as unified NLTVR (UNLTVR), is introduced to handle both symmetrical and asymmetrical faults. By integrating NLTVR or UNLTVR with reconstructed power references based on grid fault severity, the inverter operates near its maximum current limit during faults while preserving GFM functionality, ensuring smooth post-fault power recovery without exceeding reference values. The second method combines the sinusoidal current reference limiter (SCRL) with the proposed UNLTVR. The proposed schemes are implemented in a droop-controlled GFM inverter modelled in the stationary reference frame. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated through MATLAB/Simulink simulations of symmetrical and asymmetrical faults, supported by a Controller Hardware-in-the-Loop (CHIL) experiment. The proposed methods are also compared with conventional current-limiting methods. It is revealed that the SCRL achieves maximum fault current capability faster, while the combined efforts of the UNLTVR help the GFM inverter to experience a seamless post-fault recovery.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10944802/Fault current limitationgrid forminginverter-based resourcerenewable energyvirtual resistance
spellingShingle Jack Benjamin
Animesh Kumar Sahoo
Pratyasa Bhui
Overcurrent Limitation and Enhanced Fault Current Utilization by Grid-Forming Inverter Using Hybrid Methods During Short Circuit Faults
IEEE Access
Fault current limitation
grid forming
inverter-based resource
renewable energy
virtual resistance
title Overcurrent Limitation and Enhanced Fault Current Utilization by Grid-Forming Inverter Using Hybrid Methods During Short Circuit Faults
title_full Overcurrent Limitation and Enhanced Fault Current Utilization by Grid-Forming Inverter Using Hybrid Methods During Short Circuit Faults
title_fullStr Overcurrent Limitation and Enhanced Fault Current Utilization by Grid-Forming Inverter Using Hybrid Methods During Short Circuit Faults
title_full_unstemmed Overcurrent Limitation and Enhanced Fault Current Utilization by Grid-Forming Inverter Using Hybrid Methods During Short Circuit Faults
title_short Overcurrent Limitation and Enhanced Fault Current Utilization by Grid-Forming Inverter Using Hybrid Methods During Short Circuit Faults
title_sort overcurrent limitation and enhanced fault current utilization by grid forming inverter using hybrid methods during short circuit faults
topic Fault current limitation
grid forming
inverter-based resource
renewable energy
virtual resistance
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10944802/
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AT animeshkumarsahoo overcurrentlimitationandenhancedfaultcurrentutilizationbygridforminginverterusinghybridmethodsduringshortcircuitfaults
AT pratyasabhui overcurrentlimitationandenhancedfaultcurrentutilizationbygridforminginverterusinghybridmethodsduringshortcircuitfaults