A robust synchronization method for enhancing stability of IBR-dominated grids
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Yuan, Huawei
Chaudhuri, Balarko
Tan, Siew Chong
Hui, shu yuen
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Inverter-based resources (IBRs) operating in grid following (GFL) mode are particularly vulnerable to instabilities in weak grid conditions. This is largely due to the inherent limitations of synchronization with a phase locked loop (PLL). This paper presents a novel voltage magnitude-based synchronization (VMSync) method that ensures stable and well damped response even in very weak grid conditions, without compromising dynamic performance or adding any stabilization control components. Through comprehensive frequency- and time-domain analysis, VMSync is shown to outperform conventional synchronous reference frame PLL (SRF-PLL) for both small- and large-signal disturbances. Systems with multiple GFL inverters employing VMSync demonstrate significantly improved damping and stability. Furthermore, mixed deployment of VMSync alongside legacy SRF-PLL-based GFL inverters exhibits superior dynamic performance compared to deployment of solely SRF-PLL-based GFL inverters. The results highlight the potential of VMSync as a robust synchronization strategy to mitigate PLL-driven instabilities in power grids with high IBR penetration.
Date Issued
2026-05-25
Date Acceptance
2026-05-21
Citation
IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2026
ISSN
0885-8950
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Journal / Book Title
IEEE Transactions on Power Systems
Copyright Statement
Copyright This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the author’s accepted manuscript will be made available under a CC-BY License in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy).
License URL
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2026-05-25