GRIDFORM – Metrology for efficient grid-forming converters stabilizing the power grids of the future
With Europe’s energy transition and the rapid growth of renewable energy sources (RES), maintaining the stability of the power grid is becoming increasingly challenging.
Project 24GRD08 GridForm – Metrology for efficient grid-forming converters to stabilize future power grids addresses this challenge by laying the groundwork for a new metrology infrastructure for grids based on grid-forming converters (GFM).
GFM converters are advanced power electronic devices that can actively stabilize grid voltage and frequency, acting as former synchronous generators – but in systems where renewable energy sources dominate. As a result, it becomes possible to increase the share of RES without losing the stability of grid operation.
Context and need for the project
In line with the 2021 European Climate Law and the European Green Deal 2050, the European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. To meet this goal, more than 80% of electricity is to come from renewable sources.
However, such a model requires a completely new approach to control and measurement of phenomena in the power grid. As the number of power electronic devices increases, the risk of instability, loss of power quality and power losses increases.
That’s why GridForm is focused on developing procedures, standards and a measurement infrastructure to reliably assess the performance and efficiency of GFM converters – both in laboratories and under real-world conditions.
Project objectives
The main objective of the GridForm project is to improve the stability and inertia of power grids with a large share of renewables by developing a metrology infrastructure that enables benchmark-referenced (traceable) testing and performance evaluation of grid-forming converters.
Specific objectives include:
development of test benches (testbeds) for evaluating GFM converters under real-world conditions to simulate frequency, power quality and voltage stabilization;
Creation of measurement methods to evaluate the functional properties of converters in the following areas:
– frequency support (inertia and dynamic response),
– voltage stabilization,
– power quality (power quality) improvement;
Development of methods for measuring the energy efficiency of grid-connected converters under dynamic conditions;
Development of high-speed algorithms and measurement systems for GFM (on-site) field tests with a measurement bandwidth of up to 5 kHz;
Cooperation with standardization organizations IEC TC8, TC22F, TC38 and CENELEC TC8X to make the developed methods part of future European standards
Expected results
The project will contribute to:
- new European test labs and test stands for GFM converters,
- measurement methods and algorithms that enable analysis of energy losses and transient phenomena with 0.1% accuracy,
- best practice guides and recommendations for industry and network operators,
- New calibration services and validation systems for high dynamic and wide bandwidth,
- proposals for changes in network standards and codes,
- and, as a result, increase confidence in the use of grid-forming converters in systems.
Social, scientific and economic impact
GridForm research will:
improve the reliability and security of European power grids,
develop new measurement and calibration techniques,
support the competitiveness of manufacturers and measurement laboratories in Europe,
accelerate the energy transition towards climate neutrality,
strengthen Europe’s position as a world leader in metrology for renewable energy.
Project consortium
The 24GRD08 GridForm project is being carried out by a broad European consortium bringing together research institutes, technical universities, equipment manufacturers and power grid operators.
The consortium includes:
- RISE – Project coordinator – RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB (RISE), Sweden.
- LNE – Laboratoire national de métrologie et d’essais (LNE), France
- INRIM – Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), Italy.
- PTB – Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany.
- NPL – National Physical Laboratory (NPL), United Kingdom
- VSL – VSL National Metrology Institute (VSL), Netherlands.
- VTT – VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Centre for Metrology MIKES (MIKES), Finland
- CIRCE – Fundacion Circe Centro de investigacion de recursos y consumos energeticos, Spain
- HRW – Hochschule Ruhr West, Germany
- Łukasiewicz – ITR – Łukasiewicz Research Network – Tele and Radio Research Institute, Poland
- TU Dresden – Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
- TU Eindhoven – Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, the Netherlands (the Netherlands).
- Uni Campania – Università degli studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Italy
- UPV/EHU – Universidad del Pais Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Spain.
- University of Twente – Universiteit Twente, the Netherlands (the Netherlands).
- STRATH – University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
The consortium is working closely with the IEC and CENELEC standardization organizations to ensure that the methods and procedures developed will comply with the future requirements of European standards.
Funding and partnerships
The GridForm project (24GRD08) has received funding from the European Partnership on Metrology, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program and participating countries.
For more information, visit:
https://www.euramet.org/project-24GRD08
More information about the project, will provide:
MSc Eng. Jerzy Chudorlinski
Chief Specialist
Lukasiewicz – Tele and Radio Research Institute
Internet of Things and Smart Grids Research Group
jerzy.chudorliński@itr.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
PhD Sc. Eng. Aleksander Lisowiec
Leader of the Internet of Things and Smart Grids Research Group/Area Leader
Łukasiewicz – Tele and Radio Research Institute