Universal Interoperable Control Framework for Inverter-Based-Resources

In this paper, a universal interoperable control framework for inverter-based-resources (IBRs) is presented. In detail, the proposed control framework is conceptualized in the context of systems with high IBR penetration. In such systems, a mix of synchronous generators and IBRs from various manufacturers and technologies (e.g., grid-following and grid-forming) and their controllers are coupled through the physics of the power system. With this in mind, this paper dives into the functional specifications that IBRs must support to collaborate, form, and sustain the grid under normal and abnormal conditions. In this context, and by exploiting the inherent timescale separation present in power system/power converter control dynamics, an exemplary IBR grid-interactive controller, Universal Controller+ (UniCon+), that fulfills numerous system-level functional specifications is presented. Lastly, the performance of UniCon+ is evaluated under different transients through simulations and experiments on a scaled-down modified CIGRE distribution feeder.