Synchronization properties of Voltage Source Converters when seen as Coupled Oscillators based on the Kuramoto Model

Abstract

This paper presents an alternative framework for comparing the synchronization properties of two different control techniques for Voltage Source Converters (VSC) using the Kuramoto equivalent model as a basis. The traditional synchronous reference frame control SRFC based on a linear approach and the virtual oscillator controller (VOC) based on a nonlinear oscillator are compared, after translating these two controllers on the common frame of a Kuramoto equivalent model. The comparison is tested on a grid connected single phase converter. From this comparison, the results show that the VOC exhibits better synchronization time compared to the one from the SRFC. This example unveils the need for a new methodology of analysis of the synchronization characteristics that involves the two main elements for synchrony in a microgrid, the internal synchronization dynamics of the converter, and the network topology.