Grid-Forming Converters for Renewable Generation: A Comprehensive Review

Muhammad Waqas Qaisar and Jingyang Fang ()
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Muhammad Waqas Qaisar: Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518063, China
Jingyang Fang: Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518063, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-25

Abstract: Grid-forming converters (GFMCs) play an increasingly vital role in integrating renewable energy sources into modern power systems. This article reviews GFMCs, emphasizing their importance in enabling reliable, stable, and resilient operation as power systems evolve toward low-inertia, inverter-dominated configurations. Various GFMC topologies are examined based on their suitability for grid-forming functions and performance across different voltage levels. Small-signal modeling approaches are presented to provide deeper insights into system dynamics and converter–grid interactions. The article reviews primary control strategies, including droop control, virtual synchronous machines, and virtual oscillator control, and discusses their impact on synchronization, stability, and power sharing. Finally, the article outlines GFMC applications and challenges, highlighting their impact on system stability.

Keywords: converter topologies; control strategies; grid-forming converters; grid resilience; power system stability; renewable energy integration (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: 2025
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