The energy transition will require new synchronization of the grid
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The power Grid needs a ‘pace maker’ to synchronize the various grids – how will wind and solar energy get into step?
The traditional ‘pace makers’ were the large scale power generators. Their non stop output of AC energy enabled a relatively easy synchronization, needed to connect the grids for the power distribution. With Wind and Solar energy the synchronization needs another approach. Researchers from ETHZ developed a new control system based on algorithms that stabilizes the grid frequency even with grid malfunctioning.
They call the solution grid-forming converters, instead of following the frequency, they set the frequency. The converter’s controller measures the grid parameters continuously and adjusts the converter in real time via a feedback loop. In this way the converter is prevented from damage by big voltage drops. The new control algorithm focuses on the frequency and attempts to keep it stable in the grid under all circumstances. At the same time, the algorithm limits the current to avoid overloading the converter – while allowing the voltage to vary freely.
“You can only adapt to a frequency if one has been established in the first place.”
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