A Black Start Solution for Voltage-Controlled Inverters with Chattering-Free Fixed-Time Sliding Mode Power Synchronization Control

Inverter-based generations can play a vital role in power system restoration, especially for aiding system recovery through black start capability, rendering them crucial in contemporary grid resilience strategies. This paper presents a novel chattering-free fixed-time sliding mode power synchronization control (FSMPSC) approach specifically designed to enhance such black start capability of voltage-controlled (VC) inverters. The key aim of this controller is to enhance the robustness of the closed-loop system, facilitating the seamless integration of the inverter using grid-forming (GFM) control with the utility grid under various grid conditions. Remarkably, this integration is achieved without needing an additional synchronization unit, such as a phase-locked loop (PLL). The proposed controller significantly improves grid synchronization, allowing for a smooth transition of the inverter from off-grid to grid-connected modes while maintaining voltage source characteristics. The fixed-time stability analysis for the closed-loop system under the proposed controller is analytically derived by selecting an appropriate candidate Lyapunov function. This analysis facilitates the definition of an advanced form of sliding surface and control law, ensuring chattering minimization without compromising the fast response and robustness of the proposed controller. The real-time viability of the controller is authenticated by the experimental tests conducted in a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) setup.