Enhancing microgrid resilience through integrated grid-forming and grid-following inverter strategies for solar PV battery control and fault ride-through.

This study investigates the integration of a Grid-Forming (GFM) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to enhance the stability of microgrids in the presence of high renewable energy penetration. The proposed GFM inverter, combined with BESS, significantly improves fault resiliency and oscillation stability compared to traditional Grid-Following (GFL) inverters. The GFM inverter enables fault ride-through (FRT), maintaining operational stability during grid faults with voltage recovery within 300 ms and frequency deviations limited to ± 0.5 Hz. The GFM-controlled system stabilized within 1 s during a 50% solar irradiance drop, supplying reactive power and inertial support, while the GFL inverter struggled to stabilize under a Short Circuit Ratio (SCR) of 0.423, leading to large voltage and frequency deviations. Additionally, during a 46% increase in load demand, the BESS under GFM control immediately compensated for the real power imbalance, demonstrating the crucial role of energy storage in improving microgrid stability. In contrast, the GFL inverter failed to stabilize under similar conditions. Simulation results using MATLAB/Simulink confirmed that the GFM inverter restored microgrid stability more effectively, with faster fault recovery and improved voltage regulation compared to GFL inverters. The implementation of an Energy Management System (EMS) optimized power flow between the PV, BESS, and grid, enhancing system efficiency and participation in energy markets. These findings validate the potential of GFM inverters, supported by advanced control strategies, to provide reliable, efficient, and sustainable microgrid operations, indicating their practical viability in future energy networks.