Grid Integration of Inverter Based Resources: Models, Analytics and Protection

Abstract: Renewable sources and storage connect with the power grid through inverters. The response of these Inverter Based Resources (IBRs) to power system disturbances is completely dictated by the inverter controls, which are proprietary. The response, although varying with the make and model of an IBR, has some common characteristics. The response to fault is current limited and nonlinear, unlike the response of a synchronous generator (SG). IBRs also inherently do not have inertia like a SG. These features significantly impact two key analytics that underpin system protection: Phasor Domain Short Circuit Analysis (PDSCA) and transient stability. Lack of negative sequence current from IBRs has also resulted in misoperations of numerical directional and distance relays. This presentation will explain these issues, show models developed for IBRs to suit the analytics of power systems with high penetration of IBRs, and discuss results using these models.

Bio: Sukumar Brahma received his Bachelor of Engineering from Gujarat University in 1989, Master of Technology from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in 1997, and PhD in from Clemson University in 2003; all in Electrical Engineering. He joined Clemson university as the Dominion Energy Distinguished Professor of Power Engineering in August 2018, where he also serves as director of the industry-funded Clemson University Electric Power Research Association (CUEPRA). Before joining Clemson he was William Kersting Endowed Chair Professor at New Mexico State University, USA. His research, widely published and funded by the National Science Foundation, US Department of Energy, utilities, and other government agencies, spans across diverse areas of electrical engineering and computer science, integrating signal processing, machine learning, control and communication to holistically approach the emerging problems in the power and energy domain. Dr. Brahma is a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE PES and a Fellow of the IEEE.