Future low-inertia power systems: Requirements, issues, and solutions - A review

The utilization of power electronic inverters in power grids has increased tremendously, along with advancements in renewable energy sources. The usage of power electronic inverters results in the decoupling of sources from loads, leading to a decrease in the inertia of power systems. This decrease results in a high rate of change of frequency and frequency deviations under power imbalance that substantially affect the frequency stability of the system. This study focuses on the requirements of inertia and the corresponding issues that challenge the various country grid operators during the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources. This study reviews the various control techniques and technologies that offset a decrease in inertia and discusses the inertia emulation control techniques available for inverters, wind turbines, photovoltaic systems, and microgrid. This study attempts to explore future research directions and may assist researchers in choosing an appropriate topology, depending on requirements. •The inertia of the power system decreases as the power generation from the renewable energy sources increases.•This paper explores the adverse effects of low inertia in the power systems.•The initiatives taken by the different grid operators to maintain stability due to a decrease in inertia are summarized.•Different inertia control techniques applied to the inverters, wind turbines, photovoltaic systems, microgrid are reviewed.•This paper discusses the various technologies used to enhance the inertia.