DC-link voltage regulation of inverters to enhance microgrid stability during network contingencies

•A drawback of droop control is identified which leads circulating power flow during network contingencies.•A novel over-voltage regulation strategy is proposed in order to prevent an unintentional inverter shutdown.•A small-signal analysis is also performed to evaluate a microgrid's stability. Equal power-rating inverters operating with different power set-points in either an islanded or grid-connected mode may lead to inter-unit circulating power caused by a large mismatch between power generation and demand during network contingencies (faults on the heavy load side or unintentional islanding). This circulating power may violate the dc-link voltage limit and, as a result, the protection scheme may shut down the inverter and reduce the microgrids reliability. This paper proposes a regulator for controlling the dc-link voltage of the microgrid's inverter during a period of circulating power. It includes a discharging resistor with a series-connected switch across the dc-link capacitor which is turned on through a control algorithm if the dc-link voltage exceeds its pre-defined limit. Case studies of parallel-connected inverters are conducted and their stability assessed through a small-signal analysis. In addition, a realistic microgrid is designed as a low-voltage (LV) network and tested to verify the concept and regulator actions presented. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed regulator during network contingencies.