Grid-Forming Inverters as Undergraduate Research Tool for Academic Programs in Power Systems

Drastic climate changes have shifted power grids to the integrated power system (IPS), i.e., inverter-based resources (IBRs), leading to operational challenges associated with reducing system inertia and intermittent power generation. Improved inverter control schemes are necessary to ensure the stability and robustness of the power system. Different types of inverter schemes are used in IPS: grid-following inverters (GFLIs), grid-forming inverters (GFMIs), and grid-supporting inverters (GSIs). GFLIs may experience frequency and voltage fluctuations as IBR penetration increases. Still, GFMIs can regulate both frequency and voltage at their point of common coupling, mimicking the behavior of synchronous generators. GFMIs is an emerging technology, attracting academia and industry. This work aims to review the role of GFMIs from the perspective of undergraduate electrical engineering research in power systems education. Students have the opportunity to understand the theoretical background while at the same time performing simulations and experiments to enrich their learning experience.