Grid-Forming Vector Current Control

In this article, a novel point of view on grid-forming control with current controlled power electronic converters is presented. A control concept based on the emulation of the combined effect of a virtual synchronous condenser and a parallel-connected virtual current source is proposed. It combines the positive effects of virtual synchronous generator control, such as the provision of inertia, voltage support, the possibility of islanded operation, and good control performance in weak grids, with the benefits of vector current control, such as fast current limitation, improved synchronization properties, and fast setpoint tracking. The proposed control concept is simply a modification of standard vector current control. Therefore, it can be implemented easily on all control platforms with minor software changes. The control method is verified with analytical models, time-domain simulations, and experimental results.