A normal form for grid forming power grid actors

Abstract: Future power grids will be operating a large number of heterogeneous dynamical actors. Many of these will contribute to the fundamental dynamical stability of the system. By taking a complexity theoretic perspective we derive a normal form for grid forming components in power grids. This allows analyzing the grids systemic properties without the need for detailed technical models. Our approach is based on the physics of the power flow in the grid on the one hand, and on the common symmetry that is inherited from the control objectives grid-forming power grid components are trying to achieve. We provide a first experimental validation that this normal form can capture the behavior of complex grid forming inverters without any knowledge of the underlying technology, and show that it can be used to make technology independent statements on the stability of future grids.