Quantitative Mapping of Modeling Methods for Stability Validation in Microgrids

Abstract

Although power electronic converters have been the key enablers for the the integration of renewable generation, heterogeneous controllers and lower inertia increase the complexity of microgrids, more likely to cause instability. Hence, it is significant to study the stability of microgrids using prospective modeling tools such as, bode plots, Nyquist plots, eigenvalue loci, etc. The modeling of microgrids is an important step of stability analysis, where state-space-based and impedance-based modeling are the two commonly used stability evaluation approaches in microgrids. Miscellaneous modeling methods have respective pros and cons, which have been investigated in the existing literatures to some extent. However, it is still critical to quantify the modeling techniques so as to formalize the stability validation in an intuitive way, which is not addressed in existing literatures. Therefore, in this paper, modeling methods for stability validation are mapped based on an order-indicated complexity, and a quantitative framework for the mapping is provided. The proposed framework can be instructive when modeling microgrid systems with different sizes, topologies or control strategies, etc., and it turns out to be well applicable as demonstrated by exemplified simulations and experimental tests.

Keywords

• Microgrids
• stability characterization
• stability modeling
• stability validation
• power electronics