Model-based control of a VSC-based power generator with synthetic inertia provision in an isolated micro-grid.

Distributed energy resources such as solar photovoltaic, wind and energy storage systems are increasingly being utilised within isolated and grid-connected microgrids. Their integration has prompted the move towards more advanced coordinated control for flexible, efficient and secure operation of microgrid-based power systems. This study presents a new power control method based on a canonical inverse model and implied synthetic inertia (SI), which is implemented on a voltage source converter-based power generator (VSC-PG) for frequency response support. The control method augments a traditional power controller whilst the SI technique is blended with a new switching mechanism which enhances the performance of the VSC-PG when it is utilised with SI provision capability. The switching mechanism acts only when necessary, without contradicting the main frequency regulating sources. For assessment, the above method and SI technique have been designed and modelled for a 630 kVA VSC-PG with DC-link battery bank. The VSC-PG was connected within an isolated/remote microgrid formed by an 11 kV feeder, 1 MVA diesel generator and variable load. The performances of the proposed power controller and SI provider have been tested and analysed using detailed Matlab/Simulink simulations and found to compare favourably with methods published in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]