Black-start Capability with Advanced Control Strategies for Hybrid PV Power Plant

This paper explores the potential of a large-scale hybrid Photovoltaic-Battery Energy Storage System (PV-BESS) to deliver black-start ancillary services, which are essential for restoring the power system following blackouts. A novel black-start control strategy is introduced, leveraging both grid-forming (GFM) and grid-following (GFL) converters, unlike conventional strategies that predominantly use grid-forming converters. The study's findings highlight the robustness of the proposed control strategy in addressing key challenges such as mitigating transformer inrush current during transformer energization, maintaining frequency stability during load pickup, and achieving seamless synchronization with the grid. Additionally, DC link dynamics are considered and a fault is simulated during the black-start to test the control strategy's robustness. Overall, the proposed black-start strategy demonstrates significant advancements in the control and operation of large-scale hybrid PV-BESS, ensuring efficient and reliable power system restoration.