Smart Grid Solutions

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀. 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆. Decades of electrification, digital acceleration, and rising demand have collided with grids that were not designed for today’s loads, from data centers to electrified fleets and AI-driven computing. That tension is driving the current energy crunch. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦? The leadership imperative is to unlock dormant capacity in the system. That requires a shift in strategy, not just capital. We are already seeing what this looks like in practice. Winthrop Center in Boston, for example, uses digital controls and intelligent energy management to consume 60% less electricity than a typical Boston office building. This reduces pressure on the grid without adding new supply. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄: ◾ Optimise existing assets by modernising how current infrastructure is used to meet real demand rather than chasing new builds. ◾ Integrate flexibility and digital orchestration so smarter grids, AI forecasting, and demand response unlock capacity without new supply. ◾ Align stakeholders across sectors so utilities, technology operators, regulators, and corporates move from siloed goals to system-level value. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. My perspective is reflected in a recent Forbes article on how leaders can turn today’s constraints into strategic advantages: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e8G4ghB4 #Forbes #DigitalAcceleration #Sustainability

I was honored to join Axios energy reporter Ben Geman at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, for a fireside chat to discuss what it will take to power an economy that’s more electrified, resilient and competitive. The reality is stark: demand for electricity is projected to grow far faster than overall energy use. This is no threat to prosperity; it’s an opportunity - if we act with realism and speed. I have three takeaways from our discussion, and they are based on one simple insight: a successful energy transition needs energy security. We need to put the technologies and infrastructure in place to ensure we have the right energy, at the right time, at the right price. We can achieve this if we: 1. Squeeze more from every kilowatt: Energy efficiency and grid modernization are just as important as energy supply. We can quickly improve energy efficiency in industries and buildings by using high-efficiency motors with variable-speed drives. If widely adopted, this could reduce electricity demand by about 10% - the same as the output from around 100 coal plants or 35 nuclear plants. These savings could meet the growing energy needs of data centers for several years. 2. Modernize and digitalize the grid: We are still trying to run a 21st century economy on 20th century infrastructure. By 2040, the world needs 80 million kilometers (almost 50 million miles) of grid upgrades, plus storage and digital control, to integrate variable renewables, balance peaks, and improve resilience. Permitting is now a critical bottleneck. This is where targeted policy – with smarter approvals, clear standards, and investment in distribution networks – can unlock real capacity quickly. 3. Make AI part of the solution: There are a lot of headlines that Artificial Intelligence is driving up demand for energy. However, AI-enabled energy management – with digital substations and edge control – can also optimize usage, reduce losses and prevent outages. We have to see AI as a crucial tool to manage grids, to forecast, shift and reduce demand. AI can help us align demand growth with grid reliability. None of this scales without people. Resilient energy systems need a skilled workforce, from electricians to data scientists. Upskilling, retraining, and apprenticeships have to be made a priority by both the public and the private sector. The path forward is clear: electrify everything you can; deploy efficiency first; digitalize the grid; and use AI to manage what we add (and have). For regions and countries that do this, energy security will be a competitive advantage creating the foundations for sustainable growth. Listen to the full discussion here: https://lnkd.in/emMu-4zr

Grid-Forming Inverters: A Comparative Study of Different Control Strategies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As grid-forming inverters (GFMIs) are anticipated to play a leading role in future power systems, comprehensive understanding of their dynamics and control strategies becomes essential. Our recent article delves deep into this, offering a comparative study including: 1)      Detailing the control structures and tuning of four different control strategies for GFMIs (Droop, VSG, Compensated Generalized VSG, and Adaptive VSG). 2)      Conducting extensive frequency domain analysis employing impedance-based stability analysis, exploring various scenarios (SCR variations, Xg/Rg variations, operating point variations, dynamics of virtual impedance, and dynamics of inner current and voltage loops). 3)      Validating the frequency domain analysis through EMT simulations. 4)      Testing against external grid disturbances (frequency deviations, phase shifts, and voltage sags) in both strong and weak grid connections.   For more information: Article Title: Grid-Forming Inverters: A Comparative Study of Different Control Strategies in Frequency and Time Domains. Authors: Nabil Mohammed, Harith Udawatte, Weihua Zhou, Professor David Hill, Behrooz Bahrani. Journal: IEEE Open Journal of the Industrial Electronics Society. Links [Open Access]: https://lnkd.in/gE_fgJ6F ; https://lnkd.in/gMz-S4KE .   Special thanks to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Australian Research Council for funding this work.   #powerelectronics #forminginverters #renewableenergy #gridintegration #sustainability #energytransition

If you are an early-stage researcher who wants to dive into the grid-forming (#GFM) inverter world, we have created a step-by-step tutorial based on #UNIFI’s GFM reference design— as part of UNIFI’s educational initiative. ⚙️Written in easy-to-follow language, this tutorial walks you through: ✅ The control architecture of GFM inverters ✅ How to pick control gains for outer voltage and inner current loops ✅ LCL filter design basics ✅ How current limiters work and why they matter ⚙️This tutorial also comes with hands-on guidance for navigating UNIFI’s open-source GitHub repository, which contains everything you need to build your first GFM inverter: ✅ Simulation models (both average and EMT models) ✅ PCB design files ✅ Embedded control code for running hardware ✅ Detailed documentation for single-phase and three-phase GFM hardware—covering all the bits and pieces: component selection, thermal considerations, sensing-circuit design, and more! Starting from scratch, building a working GFM inverter setup can take years. With this tutorial and the resources in UNIFI’s repository, you can skip most of the setup headaches—saving 1–2 years of work! 🔗If you’re ready to get started, check out the tutorial and explore the repository—links in the first comment. Rahul Mallik Weiqian Cai Kamakshi Tatkare Jakob Triemstra Cuauhtemoc Macias

The Hidden Bottleneck in Clean Electrification Clean electrification is the backbone of global decarbonization, and power grids are its critical enabler. Yet, under net-zero scenarios, grid networks must expand by 50% by 2050, demanding $22.5 trillion in investment. The Challenge we are facing is that the grids are lagging behind. Build rates in many developed economies are stagnant or declining, threatening the pace of the energy transition. Even with advanced technologies to optimize flows and boost flexibility, new grid infrastructure remains unavoidable. Accelerating grid development requires a step-change. Policymakers and industry must act across four fronts: 1- Strategic Alignment – A unified vision backed by data and stakeholder coordination. 2- Permitting Reform – Streamline approvals and build public trust. 3- Skills & Supply Chain – Close workforce and material gaps. 4- Financing Innovation – Unlock capital and reform investment models. #EnergyTransition #Electrification #SmartGrid #GridModernization #BESS #EnergyStorage #Battery #Renewables.

Grid-forming control to achieve a 100% power electronics interfaced power transmission systems by Taoufik Qoria -”Nouvelles lois de contrˆole pour former des r´eseaux de transport avec 100% d’´electronique de puissance” ´ECOLE DOCTORALE SCIENCES ET M´ETIERS DE L’ING´ENIEUR L2EP - Campus de Lille  Abstract: The rapid development of intermittent renewable generation and HVDC links yields an important increase of the penetration rate of power electronic converters in the transmission systems. Today, power converters have the main function of injecting power into the main grid, while relying on synchronous machines that guaranty all system needs. This operation mode of power converters is called "Grid-following". Grid-following converters have several limitations: their inability to operate in a standalone mode, their stability issues under weak-grids and faulty conditions and their negative side effect on the system inertia.To meet these challenges, the grid-forming control is a good solution to respond to the system needs and allow a stable and safe operation of power system with high penetration rate of power electronic converters, up to a 100%. Firstly, three grid-forming control strategies are proposed to guarantee four main features: voltage control, power control, inertia emulation and frequency support. The system dynamics and robustness based on each control have been analyzed and discussed. Then, depending on the converter topology, the connection with the AC grid may require additional filters and control loops. In this thesis, two converter topologies have been considered (2-Level VSC and VSC-MMC) and the implementation associated with each one has been discussed. Finally, the questions of the grid-forming converters protection against overcurrent and their post-fault synchronization have been investigated, and then a hybrid current limitation and resynchronization algorithms have been proposed to enhance the transient stability of the system. At the end, an experimental test bench has been developed to confirm the theoretical approach.  VIEW FULL THESIS: https://lnkd.in/dcTJU-9v

Grid-Forming PV Integration for Enhanced Grid Stability ------------------------------------------------------------- As renewable penetration increases, maintaining grid stability without relying on synchronous generators has become a critical challenge. To address this, I designed and validated a grid-forming inverter system directly integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) source, controlled using droop control, and implemented in MATLAB Simulink. Unlike conventional grid-following PV systems, this architecture allows the PV inverter to form and regulate the grid actively, enabling stable operation even in weak or low-inertia grids. System Architecture & Key Design Parameters - Photovoltaic Source (DC Side) - PV Maximum Power (Pmp): 10.675 kW - PV Voltage at MPP (Vmp): 290 V - PV Current at MPP (Imp): 36.75 A The PV array is interfaced with a DC-link and grid-forming inverter, enabling seamless power conversion while maintaining dynamic control over voltage and frequency. - Grid-Forming Inverter (AC Side) - Injected Active Power: ≈ 10 kW - Grid Voltage: 400 V RMS - Nominal Grid Frequency: 50 Hz This setup reflects a realistic grid-connected PV scenario, where the inverter must operate under off-nominal frequency and voltage conditions while ensuring grid support. Why Grid-Forming Droop Control? By embedding droop control into the PV inverter, the system mimics the behavior of conventional synchronous generators, allowing the PV system to become an active grid asset rather than a passive energy source. ✔ Frequency Support: Active power modulation in response to frequency deviations ✔ Voltage Regulation: Reactive power sharing for voltage stability ✔ Black-Start Capability: Grid formation without an external voltage reference ✔ Scalability: Stable parallel operation of multiple PV inverters without communication - Effective Voltage Control: Reactive power droop ensured stable voltage profiles, even during transient conditions. - High Grid Resilience: The system maintained synchronism and stability during disturbances, demonstrating strong suitability for weak and low-inertia grids. Key Insights & Impact The simulation confirms that PV-based grid-forming inverters can: - Replace traditional synchronous generation roles - Enable higher renewable penetration without compromising stability - Support future power systems dominated by inverter-based resources This work demonstrates how PV systems can evolve from grid-following to grid-forming, transforming renewables into stability-providing elements of modern power systems. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to collaborate on similar projects.  #MATLAB #SIMULINK #GridForming #PVIntegration #DroopControl #PowerElectronics #RenewableEnergy #InverterBasedResources #SmartGrids

Grid strength is frequency-dependent, so how do we actually stabilize it? ⚡ In the previous post, I highlighted that stability in inverter-based systems is governed by the interaction: Z_grid(s) and Z_inv(s) and the critical condition: Z_grid(s) / Z_inv(s) = -1 When this condition is approached at any frequency, the system loses stability. So how does grid-forming (GFM) control change this? A GFM inverter does not behave as a current source following the grid. It behaves as a controlled voltage source, which fundamentally changes the interaction. Impedance perspective The inverter is no longer passively reacting to the grid. It actively reshapes its output impedance: Z_inv_new(s) = Z_inv(s) + Z_virtual(s) where: Z_virtual(s) = R_v + jX_v What this actually does It modifies both magnitude and phase of Z_inv(s): - Adds resistive damping (R_v) → reduces oscillations - Adjusts reactance (X_v) → shifts resonance frequencies - Increases phase margin → avoids −180° crossing Control dynamics matter GFM control (droop, vsm, or matching control) introduces: - Fast voltage regulation - Power–frequency coupling - Intrinsic damping without PLL This removes the unstable feedback loop: current → voltage → PLL → current Result in the frequency domain The impedance ratio: Z_grid(s) / Z_inv(s) is reshaped so that it does NOT approach the critical point (-1, 0) across the relevant frequency range. Why GFL struggles here Grid-following (GFL) inverters: - depend on PLL - introduce phase lag - behave as current sources They cannot actively control Z_inv(s), and in weak grids this often leads to: - low-frequency oscillations (≈ 5–20 Hz) - poor damping - instability under disturbances Real system implication In weak grids (low SCR), stability is not improved by “adding more power” It is improved by reshaping the impedance interaction Key takeaway Grid-forming control does not “increase strength” in the traditional sense. It redefines the system dynamics by actively shaping Z_inv(s) so the instability condition: Z_grid(s) / Z_inv(s) = -1 is never reached. #GridForming #Inverters #PVInverter #PowerElectronics #PowerSystems #GridStability #RenewableEnergy #SolarEnergy #FutureGrid #Hitachi #SolarPower #EnergyStorage #BESS #BatteryStorage #SmartGrid #Microgrids #VirtualInertia #SCR #SMASolar #ABB #UtilityScaleSolar #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #EnergyEngineering #Vision2030 #ElectricalEngineering #ClimateTech #NEOM #KSAEnergy #SynchronousCondenser

I’m pleased to share that my latest research paper has been published in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library. Paper link: https://lnkd.in/d8nHQktB As power systems continue to evolve toward renewable-dominated architectures, maintaining stability under dynamic operating conditions becomes increasingly challenging especially in Solar–HVDC configurations. In this work, I explore the role of grid-forming Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in addressing one of the critical issues: PV curtailment events and their impact on DC-link stability. The paper proposes an enhanced grid-forming control strategy that enables BESS to operate with voltage-source behavior, ensuring fast and reliable system response during abrupt solar power reductions. A detailed dynamic model was developed and validated in MATLAB/Simulink. Key findings: - BESS compensates a 40% PV curtailment within 100 ms - DC voltage deviations are limited to within ±2% - Achieves ~60% reduction in voltage transients compared to grid-following control These results highlight the importance of grid-forming BESS not just as a storage element, but as an active stabilizing component in future HVDC-based renewable grids. Looking forward to engaging discussions with colleagues working on grid-forming technologies, HVDC systems, and energy storage integration. #IEEE #HVDC #BESS #GridForming #PowerSystems #EnergyTransition #Renewables

India’s rapid renewable expansion is creating increasing variability and grid stress. While supply-side investments (solar, wind, batteries) continue, demand-side flexibility—especially from industry—remains underdeveloped. Global experience, particularly in Spain, Germany, and France, shows that industrial loads can play a central role in balancing grids while improving economic efficiency. India’s Real-Time Market hit Rs.0.00/kWh on 1 May 2026 across two consecutive 15-minute blocks at 10:30 and 10:45. Sell bids were nearly 7.7 times higher than buy bids Prices stayed near-zero for 4+ hours. Similarly some days back there was 80% curtailment of VRE in Rajasthan Rajasthan Solar Plants Ordered to Slash Production Amid Power Wastage Crisis, ETEnergyworld https://lnkd.in/gbzaPqbj Also there have been rising peaks recent week like India met 256.1 GW peak https://lnkd.in/g9SuHXrp India is sitting on a massive, underutilised asset in its energy transition: industrial demand flexibility. The next phase of energy transition won’t be won only by adding more renewables. It will be won by making demand smarter, flexible, and valuable. Across Europe, a quiet shift is underway—industry is no longer just a power consumer, but a grid-balancing partner. Countries like Spain and Germany are already moving in this direction: Flexible grid access → industries connect with the condition that they can adjust demand Lower grid charges → if you help the grid, you pay less Flexibility markets → thermal storage (not just batteries) gets rewarded Stackable incentives → efficiency + carbon + flexibility = better ROI Priority Actions: For Government & Regulators: Define “flexible industrial load” category Reform tariff structures to reward flexibility Expand market mechanisms for ancillary and demand response Enable policy stacking across schemes For Industry: Invest in thermal storage and load automation Participate in demand response programs Align operations with renewable generation cycles India has the opportunity to move beyond a supply-centric energy transition toward a balanced system where demand actively supports the grid. Industrial flexibility—supported by the right regulatory and market framework—can become a cornerstone of India’s net-zero pathway. Reducing cross-subsidy burden from industries making electricity cheaper for industries. With leadership from CEA,CERC, Ministries,Niti Aayog, India can leapfrog: ✔ Turn industrial loads into virtual power plants ✔ Use thermal storage as a low-cost flexibility backbone ✔ Reduce renewable curtailment without overbuilding grid infrastructure ✔ Make electrification of heat economically viable 💡 Industry is not the problem—it is part of the solution. #EnergyTransition #IndustrialDecarbonization #Flexibility #Renewables #IndiaEnergy #NetZero