Grid-Forming Inverter Batteries for Enhanced System Stability in Alaska’s Islanded Railbelt Electric Grid

This study examines the dynamic stability of a decarbonization scenario for the Railbelt, the biggest regional electric system in Alaska, projected for the year 2050. In this future grid, there is a large deployment of inverter-based resources (IBR), increased electrification, and retirement of a majority of the fossil generation fleet. A comparative analysis of grid-forming inverters (GFM), grid-following inverters (GFL), and synchronous condensers is conducted to ascertain their impact on grid strength and system stability using state-of-the-art positive-sequence power system simulation models. The results highlight the role GFM-based batteries play in preserving system stability in an IBR-dominated islanded electric grid.