Insights on Blackstart Provisioning Using a Synchronous Generator and Grid-Forming Inverter Using EMT Simulations

Huzaifa Karimjee (), Satish Ranade, Deepak Ramasubramanian, Olga Lavrova and Jose Ribeiro
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Huzaifa Karimjee: Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Satish Ranade: Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Deepak Ramasubramanian: Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
Olga Lavrova: Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Jose Ribeiro: Florida Power and Light Company (FPL), Miami, FL 33141, USA

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-23

Abstract: Grid-forming inverters (GFMIs) have been identified as critical assets in ensuring modern power system reliability. Their ability to synthesize an internal voltage reference while emulating synthetic inertia has sparked extensive research. These characteristics have recently piqued interest in their capacity to provide blackstart ancillary services. The blackstart of a bulk power system poses significant challenges, namely the large transients from the energization of unloaded transformers, rotational motor loads, and long transmission cables, which have been effectively studied using conventional synchronous generators (SGs). The concept of an inverter-based resource (IBR)-based blackstart continues to be an open research area necessitating further investigations due to the known limitations of IBRs such as low short-circuit current capabilities. This paper presents a blackstart case study of a bulk power system investigating the performances of a conventional SG to a GFMI when utilizing hard switching methods. The paper qualitatively investigates the transient inrush currents from the transformer and rotational load energization sequences. Additional examinations into the significance of the GFMI’s current-limiting schemes and voltage control loop compensator gains are presented. Furthermore, the harmonic distortions from the transformer energization sequence are also evaluated. Finally, a full network energization case is presented to demonstrate how both sources can provide blackstart provisioning services. The models are developed in EMTDC/PSCAD using real-world transmission planning data.

Keywords: blackstart; grid-forming inverters; sympathetic inrush (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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