Operating Region of a Genset-Based Virtual Synchronous Generator

This paper introduces the concept of the operating region of a virtual synchronous generator (VSG). The main objective of the operating region is to help take a decision on choosing proper VSG parameters. A VSG based on a diesel generator (Genset) model was used as the study case. The theoretical analysis examined the impact of relevant genset-based VSG parameters, such as droop factor, m
_dr
, inertia, J, and damping, D, on the output electrical frequency. The main result of this analysis showed that it is possible to define inertia-damping surfaces which are parameterized upon different values of the droop factor. The operating region of the VSG is then defined as the locus of the triples (m
_dr
, J, D) where the frequency transient response satisfies certain specifications in terms of peak frequency, peak time and rate of change. Experimental results showed that the VSG achieved a satisfactory performance for different values of speed droop during a transient and also in steady-state, validating the model of the genset. In comparison with simulation results, the measured peak frequencies deviated with a mean absolute error of 0.2 % and the steady-state frequencies with a mean absolute error of 0.12 %, validating the concept of the operating region.