At the heart of modern power system complexity lies the integration of converter-interfaced generators (CIGs), such as solar panels and wind turbines, which differ fundamentally from traditional synchronous generators (SGs). Unlike SGs, whose dynamics are dictated by physical rotating masses, CIGs operate through power electronics and control algorithms, introducing intricate nonlinear behaviors. This complexity engenders dynamic instability risks, a hurdle for secure and reliable power delivery. Professor Yong Min of Tsinghua University highlights this, emphasizing the need to curtail the complexity by isolating or decoupling system dynamics, such as through DC asynchronous interconnections, which leverage power electronics’ flexibility to reduce grid interdependence and dynamic feedback.

This need for simplification and control inspired the research group to reconceptualize GFM control design, focusing on drastically reducing the dynamic footprint of CIGs within power systems. Conventionally, GFM converters attempt to emulate synchronous machines, inheriting rotor angle and frequency stability challenges while introducing converter-specific instabilities. However, the new methodology diverges fundamentally by treating each GFM converter as a constant voltage source operating strictly within its physical and operational limits. Under this paradigm, dynamic control actions are minimized, only invoked when necessary for device protection or when operating constraints are exceeded. Consequently, this approach curtails system oscillations and interactions that typically cascade into instabilities.

The team’s frequency-fixed grid-forming (FF-GFM) control strategy represents a seismic shift in renewable energy management. With FF-GFM implemented, the grid’s frequency becomes effectively immutable, pinned to its rated value under normal operation. This stability removes the classical frequency synchronization dynamics and eliminates traditional rotor angle stability concerns that plague SG-based systems. The system thus behaves as a static network governed solely by power flow equations, sidestepping the latent threats that arise from dynamic interactions among conventional generators and converters.

Furthermore, this method is not just theoretical. Crucially, it allows for compatibility with existing power sources, including conventional synchronous generators and grid-following CIGs. This interoperability is essential for transitioning existing infrastructure toward fully renewable-based grids without necessitating complete overhauls, allowing phased integration. Professor Lei Chen, a co-author of the study, underscores this gradual adoption pathway as vital, noting that the FF-GFM control mechanism can enable 100% renewable systems without compromising grid stability or requiring extensive re-engineering.

The implications of such a control scheme extend beyond stability. By transforming the power system from a complex dynamic network into a static entity, operational predictability and safety can reach unprecedented levels. The model dismisses the often unpredictable dynamic responses inherent to traditional power systems, opening doors to simplified grid operation, enhanced cybersecurity due to fewer dynamic control points, and easier integration of diverse renewable resources without risk of destabilizing interactions.

Technical underpinnings of the FF-GFM control involve sophisticated algorithms that maintain voltage constancy via control loops designed to avoid introducing frequency variations or phase swings typical in synchronous systems. When power generation or loading fluctuates, the system does not react by shifting frequency but rather adjusts power flows statically. To manage longer-term changes and power balancing, a secondary, slower active power control layer modulates power setpoints, subtly directing power flows without disturbing the foundational frequency stability. This two-tiered control—fast frequency-fixed response combined with slow secondary active power control—ensures the system remains stable and responsive.

This innovative approach effectively redefines grid-forming converter roles, emphasizing device safety and operational limits over dynamic emulation of physical machines. The team’s research, published in the fully open-access journal iEnergy, showcases experimental validates and comprehensive simulations demonstrating reduced dynamic variability and robust stability under various operating conditions, including high renewable penetration scenarios. Such results herald promising prospects for future grids transitioning toward fully renewable generation.

The broader impact of this research aligns with global decarbonization goals and the increasing drive toward sustainable energy. As countries worldwide accelerate renewable adoption, ensuring grid stability without reliance on fossil-fuel-based synchronous generators becomes a top priority. The FF-GFM control offers researchers, utility companies, and policymakers a concrete tool to optimize grid architectures accordingly, mitigating blackout risks while enabling seamless integration of renewables.

Tsinghua University’s State Key Laboratory of Power System Operation and Control spearheaded this research, capitalizing on cross-disciplinary expertise in power electronics, control theory, and system dynamics. Ph.D. candidate Zhenyu Lei elaborates on the paradigm shift, stressing that reducing control-induced dynamics in converters marks a fundamental advance over existing emulation strategies, which often carry forward legacy issues from traditional machines into future grids.

The research is published in iEnergy, a journal renowned for disseminating pioneering studies in power and energy systems from top-tier institutions across the globe. Since its inception in 2022, iEnergy has fostered an impressive portfolio of articles, garnering citations from premier journals like Nature Materials and Joule, further reflecting the importance and relevance of advances such as FF-GFM control.

Looking forward, the implications of adopting frequency-fixed grid-forming control span technology, policy, and economics. The enhanced stability and simplicity pave the way for more resilient and flexible grids capable of adapting to variable renewable output. This can reduce reliance on ancillary services, simplify grid codes, and lower operational costs. Moreover, the static operation model inherent to FF-GFM may facilitate novel applications in microgrids, islanded systems, and cross-border power exchanges via DC interconnections, aligning with global energy transition objectives.

In conclusion, the frequency-fixed grid-forming control strategy introduced by the Tsinghua University research team stands as a beacon for the future of renewable power systems. By minimizing dynamic complexity and providing robust frequency stabilization, this approach promises to solve some of today’s most daunting challenges in power system operation. As renewable energy scales to meet global demand, innovations like FF-GFM are crucial to creating safer, more reliable, and sustainable grids capable of supporting the energy needs of tomorrow.

Subject of Research: Frequency-fixed grid-forming control strategy for converter-interfaced generators in renewable power systems

Article Title: Frequency-fixed grid-forming control for less-dynamic and safer renewable power systems

News Publication Date: 27 October 2025

Web References:

• Study Link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11218760/authors#authors
• Journal iEnergy: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=9732629
• DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23919/IEN.2025.0024

Image Credits: iEnergy

Keywords

Grid-forming control, Frequency-fixed control, Converter-interfaced generators, Renewable power systems, Power system stability, Dynamic reduction, Static power networks, Power electronics, Synchronous generators, Renewable energy integration, System reliability, Secondary active power control

The research highlights that China’s energy sector faces a dual challenge: reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining energy security and economic growth. Consciously balancing these priorities is not a straightforward task, and it necessitates the development of a comprehensive roadmap. This roadmap would lay out strategic directions and provide actionable insights into the technological advancements needed for decarbonization. The team’s analysis integrates both supply and demand perspectives, emphasizing the necessity of addressing near-term and long-term goals simultaneously.

A significant part of the study involves evaluating the obstacles hindering China’s path to carbon neutrality. Key issues range from the geographical mismatch between energy production and consumption to the challenge of integrating emerging energy systems with existing fossil fuel infrastructure. This understanding is particularly crucial given that China’s energy consumption patterns are not uniformly distributed across the country. The research brings to light that policymakers must consider regional disparities and infrastructure deficits when designing a decarbonization strategy.

Three principal pathways for emissions reduction have been identified. Firstly, enhancing energy efficiency by optimizing existing systems can lead to considerable reductions in energy demand. Secondly, transitioning towards zero-carbon energy sources will require a massive shift in how energy is produced and consumed. This transition includes embracing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, as well as nuclear power, harnessing technologies that do not emit greenhouse gases. Finally, the adoption of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies presents a potential avenue for mitigating emissions from sectors that are harder to decarbonize.

The complexity of implementing these technologies cannot be understated. For instance, as China increases its reliance on variable renewable energy sources, the stability of its power grid may be jeopardized. The research outlines that to mitigate this risk, enabling technologies such as improved grid transmission and distribution systems, along with robust energy storage solutions, are essential. Additionally, managing carbon emissions will require an organized governance system that ensures transparency, accountability, and effective risk management.

As China navigates this transformative landscape, the study emphasizes that successful decarbonization depends on continuous innovation in energy technologies. The need for a top-level design of a technology roadmap cannot be emphasized enough; it would provide a structured approach to the dynamic and fast-evolving nature of energy technology development. This roadmap should be revisited regularly, allowing for adjustments and improvements as new technologies and methods emerge, thereby ensuring China’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Moreover, the collaborative efforts of multidisciplinary teams—featuring experts from various institutions, including Tsinghua University and the Administrative Centre for China’s Agenda 21—are essential. These collaborations create a rich dialogue that encourages knowledge sharing and synthesis of ideas, resulting in a collective understanding of the technological, economic, and regulatory challenges at hand. The pursuit of a sustainable energy future will necessitate the amalgamation of insights from multiple fields, underscoring the interconnectedness of energy, environment, and policy.

The research team’s efforts have also been supported by significant funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST. Such backing exemplifies the importance that these organizations place on research and development in the pursuit of carbon neutrality. It reflects a growing awareness of the need for strategic investment in technology to help bridge the gap between ambitious emissions reduction goals and the realization of those targets.

With the publication of their work, the team hopes to contribute toward a more informed discourse on the pathways to decarbonization. Their findings aim to serve as a resource for policymakers, businesses, and researchers alike, guiding strategic decisions that will ultimately shape the future of China’s energy sector. As the global clock ticks toward mounting climate deadlines, the urgency for action in this domain cannot be overstated. Collaborative, evidence-based approaches rooted in sound technology and policy frameworks are essential for ensuring a successful transition to a carbon-neutral economy.

In a world increasingly characterized by climate extremes and environmental disruptions, the implications of China’s decarbonization efforts extend beyond national borders. As a key player in international climate dynamics, how China progresses toward its carbon neutrality goals will influence global climate strategies. Its roadmap for innovation could provide a model for other nations grappling with the same challenges, potentially fostering a global coalition for emissions reduction.

The journey to a decarbonized energy sector is fraught with challenges, yet it is also ripe with opportunities for innovation and development. That said, constant evaluation and readiness to adapt to new realities must become part of the foundational strategy moving forward. By prioritizing an integrative approach and harnessing the full potential of technological advancements, China may pave the way for a sustainable energy future, serving as both a leader and a case study for other nations in their quest for carbon neutrality.

The breadth of insights provided in this research serves as a clarion call for all stakeholders engaged in the development of technologies aimed at addressing climate change challenges. Ultimately, the paper represents a critical step in fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between technology, energy policy, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies. As the energy transition gathers momentum worldwide, attention to these findings will be essential for creating resilient, innovative, and sustainable energy systems.

Subject of Research: Energy sector decarbonization in China
Article Title: Energy sector decarbonization in China: macro challenges, supporting technologies and systems, and policy recommendations
News Publication Date: 31-Dec-2024
Web References: DOI
References: Technology Review for Carbon Neutrality
Image Credits: Technology Review for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University Press

Keywords: China, energy sector, decarbonization, carbon neutrality, technology, renewable energy, CCUS, policy recommendations