Comparative Evaluation of Transient Stability in MMCs: Grid-Forming vs. Grid-Following Strategies

Wenjia Zhang (), Zhuyi Peng, Wanchun Qi, Sixuan Xu, Hui Cai and Wentao Sun
Additional contact information
Wenjia Zhang: State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co. Ltd., Economic Research Institute, Nanjing 210008, China
Zhuyi Peng: State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co. Ltd., Economic Research Institute, Nanjing 210008, China
Wanchun Qi: State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co. Ltd., Economic Research Institute, Nanjing 210008, China
Sixuan Xu: State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co. Ltd., Economic Research Institute, Nanjing 210008, China
Hui Cai: State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co. Ltd., Economic Research Institute, Nanjing 210008, China
Wentao Sun: State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co. Ltd., Economic Research Institute, Nanjing 210008, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: This paper explores how different control strategies—grid-forming and grid-following—impact the transient stability of modular multilevel converters (MMCs) interfacing with AC power grids. By employing electromagnetic transient simulation tools (PSCAD/EMTDC) on an adapted IEEE three-machine, nine-bus system, various scenarios are analyzed, including faults of differing types and locations. In the simulation, traditional synchronous generators (SGs) are replaced by MMCs configured under distinct control modes. Results indicate that grid-forming (GFM) control enhances the receiving-end grid’s transient stability by providing superior phase support and extended fault-clearing times compared to grid-following (GFL) control, with hybrid approaches yielding intermediate performance. These findings underline the importance of converter control selection in achieving robust dynamic operation in modern power systems with a high penetration of renewable energy.

Keywords: MMC; grid-forming control; grid-following control; transient stability; receiving-end power grid (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
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2043/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2043/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:2043-:d:1635932

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().