Power Control and Voltage Regulation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Distribution Networks

This paper proposes a robust voltage control strategy for grid-forming (GFM) inverters in distribution networks to achieve power support and voltage optimization. Specifically, the GFM control approach primarily consists of a power synchronization loop, a voltage feedforward loop, and a current cont...

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Main Authors: Xichao Zhou, Zhenlan Dou, Chunyan Zhang, Guangyu Song, Xinghua Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Machines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/7/551
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author Xichao Zhou
Zhenlan Dou
Chunyan Zhang
Guangyu Song
Xinghua Liu
author_facet Xichao Zhou
Zhenlan Dou
Chunyan Zhang
Guangyu Song
Xinghua Liu
author_sort Xichao Zhou
collection DOAJ
description This paper proposes a robust voltage control strategy for grid-forming (GFM) inverters in distribution networks to achieve power support and voltage optimization. Specifically, the GFM control approach primarily consists of a power synchronization loop, a voltage feedforward loop, and a current control loop. A voltage feedforward control circuit is presented to achieve error-free tracking of voltage amplitude and phase. In particular, the current gain is designed to replace voltage feedback for improving the current response and simplifying the control structure. Additionally, in order to optimize voltage and improve the power quality at the terminal of the distribution network, an optimization model for distribution transformers is established with the goal of the maximum qualified rate of the load-side voltage and minimum switching times of transformer tap changers. An enhanced whale optimization algorithm (EWOA) is designed to complete the algorithm solution, thereby achieving the optimal system configuration, where an improved attenuation factor and position updating mechanism is proposed to enhance the EWOA’s global optimization capability. The simulation results demonstrate the validity and feasibility of the proposed strategy.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2075-1702
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Machines
spelling doaj-art-3d3abe09bfd949e7bd7cfcef00c3d6e32025-08-20T03:08:01ZengMDPI AGMachines2075-17022025-06-0113755110.3390/machines13070551Power Control and Voltage Regulation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Distribution NetworksXichao Zhou0Zhenlan Dou1Chunyan Zhang2Guangyu Song3Xinghua Liu4State Grid Integrated Energy Service Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100032, ChinaState Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company, Shanghai 200120, ChinaState Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company, Shanghai 200120, ChinaSchool of Electrical Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, ChinaSchool of Electrical Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, ChinaThis paper proposes a robust voltage control strategy for grid-forming (GFM) inverters in distribution networks to achieve power support and voltage optimization. Specifically, the GFM control approach primarily consists of a power synchronization loop, a voltage feedforward loop, and a current control loop. A voltage feedforward control circuit is presented to achieve error-free tracking of voltage amplitude and phase. In particular, the current gain is designed to replace voltage feedback for improving the current response and simplifying the control structure. Additionally, in order to optimize voltage and improve the power quality at the terminal of the distribution network, an optimization model for distribution transformers is established with the goal of the maximum qualified rate of the load-side voltage and minimum switching times of transformer tap changers. An enhanced whale optimization algorithm (EWOA) is designed to complete the algorithm solution, thereby achieving the optimal system configuration, where an improved attenuation factor and position updating mechanism is proposed to enhance the EWOA’s global optimization capability. The simulation results demonstrate the validity and feasibility of the proposed strategy.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/7/551grid-forming invertersdistribution networkspower controlvoltage regulationoptimal configuration
spellingShingle Xichao Zhou
Zhenlan Dou
Chunyan Zhang
Guangyu Song
Xinghua Liu
Power Control and Voltage Regulation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Distribution Networks
Machines
grid-forming inverters
distribution networks
power control
voltage regulation
optimal configuration
title Power Control and Voltage Regulation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Distribution Networks
title_full Power Control and Voltage Regulation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Distribution Networks
title_fullStr Power Control and Voltage Regulation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Distribution Networks
title_full_unstemmed Power Control and Voltage Regulation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Distribution Networks
title_short Power Control and Voltage Regulation for Grid-Forming Inverters in Distribution Networks
title_sort power control and voltage regulation for grid forming inverters in distribution networks
topic grid-forming inverters
distribution networks
power control
voltage regulation
optimal configuration
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/7/551
work_keys_str_mv AT xichaozhou powercontrolandvoltageregulationforgridforminginvertersindistributionnetworks
AT zhenlandou powercontrolandvoltageregulationforgridforminginvertersindistributionnetworks
AT chunyanzhang powercontrolandvoltageregulationforgridforminginvertersindistributionnetworks
AT guangyusong powercontrolandvoltageregulationforgridforminginvertersindistributionnetworks
AT xinghualiu powercontrolandvoltageregulationforgridforminginvertersindistributionnetworks