WORKSHOP
Powering the Future: Mastering Grid-Forming Inverters in Renewable Energy Systems
December 4-5, 2024
Venue: Hilton Doha, Doha, Qatar
Join us in Doha, Qatar, for an enlightening two-day workshop on the pivotal role of grid forming inverters within renewable energy infrastructures. “Powering the Future: Mastering Grid-Forming Inverters in Renewable Energy Systems,” scheduled for December 4-5, is designed for professionals, researchers, and students eager to deepen their understanding of how these technologies stabilize and enhance grid operations. Discover the latest advancements, engage with expert speakers, and explore practical solutions through interactive sessions and real-world case studies. Whether you’re aiming to optimize renewable integration or advance your technical expertise, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary for the energy
transition. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a sustainable energy future!
Chairs
Haitham Abu-Rub, Ph.D.
Professor, IEEE Fellow
Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
Texas A&M University at Qatar, Qatar
Sertac Bayhan, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
Professor, Gazi University, Turkiye
Speakers
Qing-Chang Zhong, Ph.D.
Professor, IEEE Fellow
Illinois Institute of Technology, USA
Power-Electronics-Enabled Autonomous Power Systems: Next-Generation Smart Grids
Power systems are going through a paradigm shift. Centralized large power plants are being replaced with millions of incompatible, relatively small distributed generators. At the same time, the number of loads is constantly increasing. In this talk, it will be revealed that the fundamental challenge behind this paradigm shift is that future power systems will be power-electronics-enabled with millions of heterogeneous active players, rather than electric-machines-based with thousands of homogeneous generators. A holistic grid architecture, referred to as the SYNDEM (meaning synchronized and democratized) grid architecture, together with its technical routes, will be presented to accelerate this paradigm shift. Millions of power-electronics-enabled active players, large or small, supplying or consuming, can be controlled to behave like virtual synchronous machines (VSM) so that they can equally, autonomously, and actively take part in the regulation of system frequency and voltage. the communication infrastructure can be released from the low-level control of power systems. This opens up the prospect of achieving autonomous operation for future power systems without relying on communication networks and provides a low-cost and sustainable solution to provide electricity. This holistic solution could considerably enhance the stability, scalability, operability, security, reliability and resiliency of the next-generation smart grid. Efforts on education, workforce development, standardization and commercialization will be briefly covered.
Ali Sharida, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
The Intersection of Mobility and Sustainability: Integrating Electric Vehicles with Renewable Energy
The transition towards a sustainable energy future relies heavily on our ability to integrate renewable energy sources into the power grid effectively. In this context, Plug-In Electric Vehicles (PEVs) are not just a means of sustainable transportation but also dynamic assets that can support renewable energy integration. This talk explores the critical role of PEVs at the intersection of mobility and sustainability, emphasizing their potential to serve as mobile energy storage units and enhance grid stability through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies.
We will examine the dual benefits of PEVs: reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector and improving the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy supply. Additionally, the talk will highlight the pivotal role of grid-forming inverters in enabling seamless integration of PEVs with renewable energy systems. We will delve into the technical, economic, and regulatory challenges associated with this integration while showcasing real-world case studies and innovative models that illustrate how PEVs and grid-forming inverters can work together to create a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Agustí Egea-Àlvarez, Ph.D.
Professor, Strathclyde University, UK
Network Operational Performance Manager at Scottish Power Energy Networks
Mohammad Shadmand, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Illinois Chicago, USA
Empowering Power Electronics Dominated Grid Resilience and Cybersecurity via Intelligent Grid Forming Inverters
Frequency and voltage regulation and restoration while ensuring stability in power electronics dominated grids (PEDG) poses significant challenges, primarily due to inherent heterogenous structure and low inertia characteristics of inverters-based generation. This vulnerability introduces a new cyberattack surface, amplifying concerns over voltage and frequency stability and synchronization of grid-forming and grid-following inverters within low inertia PEDG systems. This talk addresses the resiliency and cybersecurity implications within low inertia PEDG and explores potential avenues for research to mitigate these challenges. Specifically, it delves into the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) to enable self-driving grids by utilizing grid-forming inverters, thereby bolstering grid resiliency and cybersecurity measures. The discussion will focus on the impact of cyberattacks on heterogeneous grid-following and grid-forming inverters equipped with hierarchical control schemes. An attack model targeting the synchronization and coordination of inverters within PEDG systems will be examined. Furthermore, data-driven solutions will be explored to harness the full capabilities of grid-forming and grid-following inverters, imbuing them with intelligence to enhance grid resiliency against disturbances and anomalies. Concluding remarks will outline a research roadmap aimed at realizing AI-inspired inverters, thus propelling the realization of resilient self-driving grids.
Irfan Khan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University, USA
Enhancing Grid Stability in Low Inertia Power Systems: The Role of Grid Forming Converters and Machine Learning
This research investigates the performance of low inertia power systems and explores the pivotal role of Grid Forming (GFM) converters in enhancing grid stability amidst the increasing integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). As traditional Grid Following (GFL) converters face significant challenges in low inertia environments due to their dependency on phase-locked loops (PLLs), GFM converters, which replicate the functionalities of synchronous machines, emerge as a promising alternative. This study systematically classifies various control techniques employed by GFM converters, evaluating their operational efficiencies and limitations. Comparative analyses indicate that while conventional methods can achieve satisfactory outcomes, they often lack computational efficiency and adaptability to dynamic system conditions. Furthermore, the incorporation of machine learning (ML) algorithms presents substantial opportunities for advancing real-time control and improving system responsiveness. Notably, this research identifies critical gaps in the existing literature regarding comprehensive assessments of GFM control strategies and the exploration of diverse ML methodologies. The proposed objectives include a thorough evaluation of current GFM techniques, the development of advanced control strategies, and the implementation of ML-based algorithms specifically designed for low inertia power systems. Ultimately, this research presentation aims to contribute to the evolution of robust, efficient, and adaptive power systems capable of addressing the challenges posed by the modern energy landscape.
Abdulrahman Alassi, Ph.D.
Power Systems Manager
Iberdrola Innovation ME, Qatar
The Role of Grid-Forming Converters in Shaping the Future of Ancillary Services: The Case of Black-Start
The increased penetration of renewable energy systems brings numerous environmental, technical, and economic benefits to power networks but also introduces challenges such as control interactions, subsynchronous resonance, and reduced short circuit and inertia levels. Additionally, ancillary services provision through power converters has its limitations compared to the classical networks paradigm. These challenges can be addressed through innovative control and coordination techniques, such as advanced grid-forming control schemes. This talk delves into a key ancillary service, exploring the black-start provision and delivery through grid-forming power converters. We will examine the necessary requirements, highlighting the need for advanced control systems in grid-forming converters to coordinate multiple units, manage inrush currents, and achieve successful block loading and grid synchronization. The discussion will cover design, testing, and implementation aspects. Furthermore, we will discuss the broader implications for other ancillary services, such as voltage and frequency support through virtual inertia, showcasing the versatility and potential of grid-forming converters in modern power systems.
Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer
Loughborough University, UK
Fast and Slow Dynamic of Inverter-based Resources: Challenge for Protection Schemes in Modern Power
Power electronic inverters are key elements in integrating novel technologies in traditional power networks; specifically, inverter-based generation (IBG) is a decisive element in the energy transition and in reaching ambitious objectives of zero-net emission. The colossal penetration of IBG tends to produce several issues in the power networks. There is a tendency to agree that the voltage source converters (VSCs) enabled with the so-called grid forming control may provide a long-term solution for IBG-dominated power systems. However, those novel control techniques used in the IBR modify the power system dynamic from the traditional slow electromechanically in synchronous dominated power systems.
Changes in the fast and slow dynamics of power systems with IBR impose many challenges on protection systems. This keynote presents the two most representative challenges related to the fast and slow dynamics of IBR power systems during fault conditions.
An IBR may be equipped with a control scheme that determines how it injects negative sequence currents during faults. The IEEE 2800 and the German grid codes VDE-AR-N 4100 and VDE-AR-N 4111 focus on providing voltage support by injecting negative sequence reactive current proportional to the variation of negative sequence voltage at the PCC for unbalanced faults while injecting positive sequence reactive current during balanced faults. Several protective relaying functions based on negative sequence quantities may experience difficulties in detecting and tripping for harmful, unbalanced system operating conditions. On the other hand, the IBR can be equipped with several slow outer control loops; some of them, especially related to the grid forming (GFM) control, can affect the slow dynamic of the power system. Specifically, the virtual inertia control mode and the virtual impedance in the GFM provide RX swing very different to the one created by the traditional synchronous generator-dominated power system; these new forms of swings can negatively affect the operation of out-of-step protections. Off-line and real-time
simulations are used to present the challenges. The keynote closes by presenting some of the proposed solutions to increase the performance of the protection systems in power systems with high penetration of IBR
Abdellah Kouzou, Ph.D.
Professor
Djelfa University, Algeria
Hybrid Multilevel Topologies for Grid Forming Inverters: Challenges and Innovations
Due to the proliferation of renewable energy integration, grid-forming inverters play a critical role in ensuring stable, resilient and efficient grids. This talk explores the role of hybrid multilevel inverter topologies as a transformative interface solution for grid-forming applications. Indeed, the combination of the benefits of multilevel topologies such as improved efficiency, reduced harmonic distortion, and scalability using advanced hybrid designs, will contribute positively in addressing the growing demand under flexible and reliable operation mode of the grid.
This talk focusses mainly on the key topics that include the challenges associated with implementing hybrid multilevel inverters in grid-forming such as the semiconductor technology, the control strategies complexity, the design, the fault tolerance capability, and the harmonic mitigation, as well as recent innovations that enhance their performance.
This talk aims to open the discussions with the attendees such as researchers, engineers, and industry professionals a comprehensive understanding on the opportunities and barriers in adopting hybrid multilevel topologies for grid-forming applications.
Salma Awadallah, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
Comparison of IEEE 2800 and Regional Grid Codes for Power Quality and Dynamic Voltage Support in IBR Integration
Integrating Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) into power systems has necessitated the evolution of grid standards to ensure stability, reliability, and power quality. The IEEE 2800 standard represents a significant milestone, providing comprehensive technical requirements for the interconnection of IBRs with bulk power systems. This talk will explore the IEEE 2800 standards, focusing on power quality and dynamic voltage support, comparing these requirements with regional grid codes and highlighting key similarities and differences.
The presentation will delve into the implications of these standards on IBR design, operation, and grid integration. Comparative analyses will underscore areas where regional codes may complement or diverge from IEEE 2800, spotlighting challenges and opportunities for harmonization. Case studies and simulation-based investigations will illustrate practical scenarios, demonstrating the performance of IBRs under varying grid conditions and compliance strategies.
Anas Karaki, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar
Enhancing Stability and Resilience in Low-Inertia Power Systems via Grid Forming Inverters
The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) through power electronic interfaces is transforming power systems, leading to reduced system inertia and new stability challenges. In this low-inertia environment, grid-forming (GFM) converters emerge as a crucial technology, offering enhanced frequency support and voltage regulation capabilities that traditional grid-following converters cannot provide. Their ability to operate as voltage sources, rather than current sources, enables them to establish and maintain grid voltage and frequency independently, making them particularly valuable during disturbances and contributing to overall system resilience.
A key advantage of GFM converters lies in their superior low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capabilities during fault conditions. Unlike conventional grid-following converters that may disconnect during severe voltage dips, grid-forming converters can maintain synchronization and continue supporting the grid, thanks to their inherent voltage source behavior and advanced control strategies. This capability, combined with their fast dynamic response and ability to provide virtual inertia, significantly enhances power system stability and resilience, particularly in scenarios with high RES energy penetration where traditional synchronous generators are scarce.
Muhammad Farooq Umar, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Texas A&M University at Qatar, Qatar
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities and operational challenges in low inertia power electronics dominated grid and achieving resilient operation in such compromised grid
The low inertia characteristics of the power electronics dominated grid (PEDG) introduces challenges while restoring voltage and frequency to their nominal values following system contingencies. These stability challenges create new cybersecurity vulnerabilities that are not thoroughly discussed in the literature. Cyber events such as false data injection (FDI), denial of service (DoS), man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, stealthy attacks, and advanced persistent threats target PEDG to disrupt grid stability or gain financial and political benefits. The low inertia of PEDG (< 2s) compared to traditional grids (~10s) exacerbates these vulnerabilities. In response to stealthy attacks on state and algebraic variables that supervisory layers cannot detect until significant harm occurs. Moreover, this talk will discuss an innovative adaptive ranking based framework to achieve operational resilience after the cyberattack has occurred and power grid operation is compromised. This adaptive ranking framework will allow changing seamlessly between operational modes for the inverters, i.e. grid-forming or grid-following, and defines leader-follower directionality after the power grid is compromised due to a stealthy cyberattack. Several scenarios are discussed in this talk that are applicable to the real-life cyber-attack events and the operational resilience under these conditions is achieved.