Vokasi UNESA Bulletin of Engineering, Technology and Applied Science
Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): (In Progress)

Virtual Synchronous Generator Control Strategies For Low-Inertia Power Systems: A Comprehinary Review

Sabo Aliyu (Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Nigeria)
Olutosin Adebayo Ogunleye (Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Nigeria)
Uzoma Joseph Ebuka (Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Nigeria)
Ibrahim Danlami Akabe (Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna)
Ozioko Ugochukwu Jerald (Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Nigeria)
Noor Izzri Abdul Wahab (Advanced Lightning Power and Energy Research (ALPER) Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia Serdang, Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Aug 2026

Abstract

The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources has reduced rotational inertia in modern power systems, causing frequency instability and weakened grid strength. Virtual Synchronous Generators (VSGs) have emerged as a leading grid-forming control strategy that enables power converters to emulate synchronous machine behavior. The problem is that reduced inertia threatens grid stability through higher rates of change of frequency and deeper frequency nadirs. The solution is VSG control strategies that embed the swing equation into converter loops to provide synthetic inertia and damping. This paper systematically classifies existing VSG approaches based on control philosophy, modeling frameworks, and parameter tuning strategies, identifying key research gaps. The study examines dq-frame modeling, impedance-based stability analysis, and small-signal eigenvalue techniques. Results show that voltage-controlled VSG and synchronverter approaches provide the strongest grid-forming capability, while current-controlled VSG offers superior current limiting. Impedance-based analysis reveals stability margins depend critically on the impedance ratio between VSG and grid, particularly in weak-grid conditions. Major challenges include inertia–damping trade-offs, parameter tuning inconsistencies, multi-converter interactions, and weak-grid instability. The conclusion is that future research must focus on adaptive control frameworks, hardware validation, and standardized benchmarking systems for widespread practical deployment.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

vubeta

Publisher

Subject

Computer Science & IT Engineering Mechanical Engineering Transportation

Description

Vokasi Unesa Bulletin Of Engineering, Technology and Applied Science is a peer-reviewed, Quarterly International Journal, that publishes high-quality theoretical and experimental papers of permanent interest, that have not previously been published in a journal, in the field of engineering, ...