Converter-Based Power Line Emulators for Testing Grid-Forming Converters Under Various Grid Strength Conditions

Chul-Sang Hwang, Young-Woo Youn, Heung-Kwan Choi and Tae-Jin Kim ()
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Chul-Sang Hwang: Smart Grid Research Division, The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, 27 Dosi-Cheomdan Saneop-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju-si 61751, Republic of Korea
Young-Woo Youn: Smart Grid Research Division, The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, 27 Dosi-Cheomdan Saneop-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju-si 61751, Republic of Korea
Heung-Kwan Choi: Smart Grid Research Division, The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, 27 Dosi-Cheomdan Saneop-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju-si 61751, Republic of Korea
Tae-Jin Kim: Smart Grid Research Division, The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, 27 Dosi-Cheomdan Saneop-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju-si 61751, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: Grid-forming (GFM) converters have been critical in DER-dominant power systems, ensuring stability, but their performance is highly sensitive to grid conditions such as system strength. Testing GFM converters under a wide range of grid strengths (from strong high-inertia systems to very weak grids) and fault scenarios is challenging, as traditional test facilities and static grid simulators have limitations. To address this problem, this paper proposes a converter-based power line emulator that provides a flexible, programmable grid environment for GFM converter testing. The emulator uses power electronic converters to mimic transmission line characteristics, allowing for the adjustment of effective grid strength (e.g., short-circuit ratio changes). The proposed approach is validated through detailed PSCAD simulations, demonstrating its ability to provide scalable weak-grid emulation and comprehensive validation of GFM converter control strategies and stability under various grid conditions. This research highlights that the converter-based emulator offers enhanced flexibility and cost-effectiveness over traditional testing setups, making it an effective tool for GFM converter performance test.

Keywords: testing converter; grid-forming converter testing; power line emulator; weak grid testing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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