On Stability Analysis of Power Grids with Synchronous Generators and Grid-Forming Converters under DC-side Current Limitation

Abstract: Stability of power grids with synchronous generators (SGs) and renewable generation interfaced with grid-forming converters (GFCs) under dc-side current limitation is studied. To that end, we first consider a simple 2-bus test system and reduced-order models to highlight the fundamental difference between two classes of GFC controls -- (A) droop, dispatchable virtual oscillator control (dVOC) and virtual synchronous machine (VSM), and (B) matching control. Next, we study Lyapunov stability and input-output stability of the dc voltage dynamics of class-A GFCs for the simple system and extend it to a generic system. Next, we provide a sufficiency condition for input-to-state stability of the 2-bus system with a class-B GFC and extend it for a generic system. Finally, time-domain simulations from a reduced-order averaged model of the simple test system and a detailed switched model of the GFC validate the proposed conditions.