The 6th International Conference on Renewable Power Generation (RPG)

19–20 October 2017

Modelling and validating photovoltaic power inverter model for power system
stability analysis
Jin Ma1, Da-Wei Zhao1,2, Min-Hui Qian2, Ling-Zhi Zhu2, Hua Geng3
1
School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, North China Electric Power University, People’s Republic of China
2
Renewable Energy Department, China Electric Power Research Institute, People’s Republic of China
3
Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, People’s Republic of China
E-mail: majinjm@gmail.com

Published in The Journal of Engineering; Received on 10th October 2017; Accepted on 8th November 2017

Abstract: This study presents model development and validation of the photovoltaic (PV) power using the real test data. The major contribu-
tions of this research are in two-fold: First, the western electricity coordinating council (WECC) PV power plant model is discussed through
comparison with tested data from one commercial PV inverter in China. The WECC PV model is modified and the improvement can provide
more holistic view on the PV power plant dynamics. Second, the hybrid data simulation method is applied to validate the validity of the generic
PV power model based on the real-test data. The model simulation outputs are compared with the real measurements under typical scenarios.
The research results presented in the study propose the application range for the generic PV power model for the electromechanic related sta-
bility analysis. Furthermore, the study also proposes the model improvement suggestions to increase the model credibility in simulating large
system stability dynamics.

1 Introduction
The last decade has witnessed the fast spread applications of photo-
voltaic (PV) power in power systems all around the world. As one
of the most mature renewable generation technologies, PV power is
becoming one major generation resource. However, most PV plants
are far away from the load centre and they are more likely to be con-
nected into a weak power grid with low short-circuit-ratio. Thus, the
integration of PV power brings new challenges to power system sta-
bility analysis and control [1–3]. In order to analyse the impacts of
the PV power on system operation and control, reliable dynamic PV
power plant model needs to be developed and validated.
To ensure the authenticity of the simulation, detailed PV power
model needs to be developed. On the other hand, power system
planners and operators also expect the PV power plant model to
be simplified to the most extent while keeping its validity since
the detailed simulation model will aggravate the simulation
burden for the dynamic stability studies in large power systems
[4]. Research work on developing reliable but simplified PV
power models is not sufficient. General electric (GE) [5],
WECC [6–8] and electric power research institute (EPRI) [9, 10]
have developed the generic PV power model for power system
dynamic simulation analysis, and some model validation work has
been conducted [10, 11]. However, the model validation work and
the application analysis on these models are still not enough for
the lack of measured data on different PV inverter types.
In this paper, the applicability of WECC PV model in the actual
commercial PV inverter products in China is studied, the WECC
PV model is then modified according to the actual test results. At
the same time, the converter performance testing circuit system in
laboratory is also included in the simulation [12]; however, we
found that sometimes the simulation curve and measured data do
not fit well. One main cause may be that the value of corresponding
grid impedance is not a constant and always unknown, but it is
usually set to a fixed value during simulation. Another cause may
be that the parameters of reactors vary in different conditions and
operation time. To locate the model error source, the hybrid data
simulation method is used [13–19].
The paper will be organised as follows: Section 2 presents the PV
power plant models provided by WECC Renewable Energy
Modeling Task Force; Section 3 describes the concept and imple-
mentation of hybrid data simulation which is adopted to conduct
model validation in the paper; Based on the general test circuit
system, Section 4 discusses whether the WECC PV model is suit-
able for a commercial PV inverter in China, the model perfor-
mances are compared using real field measurements and
simulations under multiple conditions; and Section 5 concludes
the whole paper.
2 WECC PV power plant model
The WECC PV power plant model represents the most widely used
group of PV models where the interface of them with a power
network is represented by a current-source. Its generic composition
is shown in Fig. 1.
The model consists of three major blocks: the REGC_A module,
REEC_B module and REPC_A module [6, 7]. The REGC_A
module is used to represent the generator/inverter interface with
the grid. It processes the real and reactive current command and
outputs of real and reactive current injection into the grid model.
The REEC_B module is used to represent the electrical controls
of the inverters. It acts on the real and reactive power reference
from the REPC_A module, with the feedback of terminal voltage
and generator power output, and provides real and reactive
current commands to the REGC_A module. The REPC_A
module is used to represent the plant controller. It processes
voltage and reactive power output to emulate volt/var control at
the plant level. It also processes frequency and real power output
to emulate real power control. This module provides real and react-
ive power command to the REEC_B module.

J. Eng., 2017, Vol. 2017, Iss. 13, pp. 1605–1609 This is an open access article published by the IET under the Creative Commons
doi: 10.1049/joe.2017.0603 Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)
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where, x = (x1 , x2 , . . . , xN ) are the state variables,
y = (y1 , y2 , . . . , yM ) are the algebraic variables, f and g contain
N, M equations, respectively.
If some quantities are measurable, thus can be used as boundary
conditions, e.g. here the measured value of yi is y*, then (1) can be
rewritten as


Fig. 1 WECC PV power plant model  dx
= f (x, y′ , y∗ )
dt (2)
0 = g′ (x, y′ , y∗ )

3 Hybrid data simulation
With the application of PMU (phasor measurement unit), the hybrid where, y′ = (y1 , y2 , . . . , yi−1 , yi+1 , . . . , yM ), and g′ is the new set
data simulation method has been proposed [13, 14]. Hybrid data of algebraic equations, g ′ is solvable with (M−1) equations and
simulation bridges well-developed simulation tools and synchro- (M−1) unknown algebraic variables. At each integration time step
phasor measurement networks by providing simulation entries for t, a new value of y∗ is input into (2) to reflect the change in the
measurements [13]. boundary condition. If a state variable is known beforehand, the
problem can be treated similarly.
3.1 Principle of hybrid data simulation Usual measurements in power system are bus voltage, voltage
The dynamic characteristics of power system can be described by phase angle (or frequency), real power and reactive power. With
differential-algebraic equations as any two of them known, one can solve for the other two through
 simulation. The hybrid data simulation method is less time-
 dx consuming for no need to model the whole system, it is easier to
= f (x, y)
(1) identify problematic models and gain better insights of model
 dt
0 = g(x, y) quality [13].

3.2 Implementation of hybrid data simulation

Fig. 2 Fast-responding generator method
Fig. 3 Structure of test circuit for PV inverter
Currently, there are three typical methods for injecting the measure-
ments into simulation programmes. The phase shifter method adds
an ideal phase shifter and a large synchronous generator on the
boundary bus [13, 17, 18]. The large synchronous generator is
used as a constant voltage source. By adjusting the complex ratio
of the ideal phase shifter at each simulation step, the voltage and
the voltage phase angle at the boundary bus can be matched to the
measurements. The fast-responding generator method applies to the
boundary bus a large synchronous generator with a fast responding
exciter and speed governor [14]. The measurements are input as ref-
erence values to the exciter and the speed governor, which force the
generator outputs to follow the measurements. In the variable imped-
ance method [15], the synchronised measurements at the boundary
bus are replaced by the equivalent impedance.
Among these methods, the fast-responding generator method
injects values of bus voltage and frequency, the variable impedance
method injects bus voltage and line power, and they do not require
the phase angle data (for PV plants, it always connects to the 10 or

Fig. 4 Power control responses of the PV inverter (blue line: measured data, green line: control order, red line: simulation output of WECC model)
a Real power
b Reactive power

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35 kV bus, rare PMU is installed), so the fast-responding generator
method and the variable impedance method are more suitable for
PV plant model validation when the measurements have acceptable
synchronisation. In this paper, the fast-responding generator
method is chosen to implement hybrid data simulation, as shown
in Fig. 2.
Through this fast-responding generator method, no mismatch is
caused by the system reduction and commercially available
power system simulation software can be used to implement the
method, details of implementation can be found in [19].
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should keep the connection with power grid and provide a certain
reactive current according to grid codes.
In this paper, we mainly investigate parts (1) and (3).
4.1 Test circuit system
The test circuit used for PV model and parameter validation is
shown in Fig. 3. It is a generic test system, and can also be used
for wind turbine model validation [12]. A controllable DC power
source is used to represent dynamics of PV Array. By adjusting
the parameters of the parallel and series reactance in the circuit,

4 Model validation and modification of WECC PV model

based on hybrid data simulation
The model validation test of PV inverter for power system stability
analysis mainly involves three aspects (from steady state to transient
state):

(1) the PV inverter receives commands from PV plant’s real and re-
active power controller;
(2) small disturbance of the PV inverter’s terminal voltage. At this
point, the PV inverter is still in the steady-state operation mode, and
the output of the PV inverter is adjusted with the small disturbance;
(3) large disturbance of the PV inverter’s terminal voltage. Now the
PV inverter may turn to low-voltage ride-through control mode, it Fig. 6 Modification of WECC PV model

Fig. 5 Comparison of simulated and measured data with voltage drop to 54% (blue line: measured data, green line: simulation output of WECC model, red line:
simulation output of modified WECC model)
a Amplitude of voltage
b Amplitude of frequency
c Real power
d Reactive power

J. Eng., 2017, Vol. 2017, Iss. 13, pp. 1605–1609 This is an open access article published by the IET under the Creative Commons
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terminal voltage of PV inverter can be dropped to different degrees,
and the corresponding output of PV can be tested. The measured
points are always M1 and M2 as shown in Fig. 3.
As stated in the introduction part of the paper, the grid reactance
(Zs) is always unknown, and the earthing reactance (X1), current
limiting reactance (X2) may vary with different conditions and
times. Therefore, as we know, model validations of the above test
circuit always use trial and error method, this traditional method
is consuming with long time and low precision. Here the hybrid
data simulation method is adopted to solve the problem.
4.2 Test procedure and results
4.2.1 Under PV plant power control: The simulation lasts for
250 s [20]. The active and reactive power outputs of the researched
PV inverter are shown in Fig. 4.
It can be seen clearly from Fig. 4 that the PV inverter is able to
control power outputs according to the power references imposed
by the plant power controller with good dynamic responses in
terms of the response speed and overshoots.
4.2.2 Voltage drop to 54% rated value: The measured records are
injected into the fast-responding generator, it can be seen that the
voltage and frequency fit very well (Fig. 5). Fig. 5 also shows the
simulation results and the measurements of power. It can be seen
that the output of original WECC PV model has a large overshoot
at the end of disturbance.
Fig. 7 Comparison of simulated and measured data with voltage drop to 30% (blue line: measured data, green line: simulation output of WECC model, red line:
simulation output of modified WECC model)
a Amplitude of voltage
b Amplitude of frequency
c Real power
d Reactive power
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Thus, we make an improvement based on original WECC PV
model, as shown in Fig. 6. A differential block and feed-forward
current compensation module are added, when the voltage change
quickly, the current compensation module is beginning to take
effect to reduce the current order.
The simulation using modified WECC PV model conforms to the
real measurements better than the original WECC PV model as
shown in Figs. 5c and d.
4.2.3 Voltage drop to 30% rated value: From Fig. 7, it can be seen
that the voltage and frequency fit also very well. The simulation
using modified WECC PV model conforms to the real measure-
ments better than the original WECC PV model.
Simulations show that when the voltage drops below 20% rated
value nearby, the WECC PV model cannot represent the dynamics
of PV inverter accurately. In these conditions, the detailed PV
model should be used to guarantee the analysis validity.
5 Conclusion
WECC PV models represent a large group of generic PV models for
power system stability analysis. By using the current-source, this
type of PV models effectively simplifies the model complexity
but keeps its key characteristics for the stability simulation.
Although the WECC PV models have been widely used, the ana-
lysis on its applicable validity is still not enough.
J. Eng., 2017, Vol. 2017, Iss. 13, pp. 1605–1609
doi: 10.1049/joe.2017.0603

This paper analyses the WECC PV model validity by real mea-
surements and finds that the REEC_B module which is used to rep-
resent electrical controls of inverter needs improvement. The paper
also provides guidance on how to implement model validation
using the hybrid data simulation method. This method can over-
come the problems brought by the parameters’ uncertainties
during modelling and helps to locate model error sources.
With the increase of demand for power control and frequency
regulation of PV power plants, the future work would focus on
developing and validating PV plant’s different power control strat-
egies [21] and frequency regulation methods [22, 23].
6 Acknowledgments
This work is supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China
(51607160), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
(BK20160146), and State Grid Research Grant on Control and
Protection of Weak Power Systems with High Penetration of
Renewable Energies and DC Link.
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doi: 10.1049/joe.2017.0603
20513305, 2017, 13, Downloaded from https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/joe.2017.0603 by Bosnia and Herzegovina Hinari NPL, Wiley Online Library on [07/11/2023]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
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