Exploring Dynamic P-Q Capability and Abnormal Operations of Inverter-Based Resources

Nowadays, inverter-based resources (IBRs) are rapidly growing in electric power systems. On the other side, abnormal inverter operations are also occurring more often. Traditionally, inverter P-Q capability charts are employed by electric utility companies to ensure safe and reliable operations of IBRs. However, it is found in this article that existing inverter P-Q capability charts do not address the operating characteristics of an inverter correctly, which can result in irregular and unstable inverter operations. In this article, a novel study is conducted to investigate inverter P-Q capability charts, where constraints that are specific to an inverter are considered. It is found in this article that the inverter P-Q capability charts exhibit a unique dynamic nature under uncertain grid conditions. This dynamic nature has not been considered by the industry in managing, designing, and controlling an inverter as well as in developing international standards for IBRs. Via both electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation and hardware experimental investigations, it is found that the dynamic P-Q capability nature, together with the limitations of the existing control methods, is the underlying causes of many unusual inverter operations that have been reported in the literature.