Harmonizing Traditional and Renewable Energy Sources through HIL Simulations Local Voltage Regulation for Sustainable Grid Stability

As power systems evolve toward sustainable and decentralized architectures, the coexistence of traditional synchronous machines and renewable energy sources (RES) introduces new challenges for grid stability. Local voltage regulation, particularly in electrically close production-consumption areas, is critical due to the intermittent nature of RES, the variability of industrial loads, and the complexity of energy management. Despite advancements in grid management, a significant research gap remains in understanding how traditional and renewable sources can be harmonized to maintain local voltage stability through coordinated reactive power control. This study addresses these challenges by exploring the integration of traditional power plants (TPPs) and wind power plants (WPPs) within a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) framework using Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulations. The research focuses on coordinating reactive power management to enhance local voltage stability, reduce system stress, and ensure efficient energy exchange in systems with large industrial loads. By utilizing real-world data, including archived voltage recordings, reactive power measurements, and wind power profiles, the study bridges the gap between theoretical control strategies and practical implementation. The primary aim of this research is to analyze the impact of coordinated reactive power control on local voltage stability and to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating traditional and renewable sources under a unified control structure. The results provide practical insights into optimizing reactive power distribution and propose solutions for achieving sustainable grid stability. This study highlights the critical role of VPP frameworks and advanced control strategies in modernizing power systems to meet future energy demands.