Macarena Martin-Almenta

arXiv2026

Impedance-Based Sensitivity Analysis for Stability Enhancement of LCC-HVDC Links Connected to Weak Grids Using Grid-Forming Converters

This paper presents a frequency-domain, impedance-based sensitivity methodology for stability assessment and enhancement of line-commutated converter HVDC (LCC-HVDC) links operating under weak-grid conditions. The methodology integrates frequency-domain identification tailored for black-box systems, the Generalized Nyquist Criterion (GNC) for multivariable stability assessment, and modal impedance decomposition with participation-factor analysis to locate and interpret interaction mechanisms. The approach is validated against a detailed linearized state-space model and nonlinear EMT simulations of an LCC-HVDC benchmark. A sensitivity study varying the grid short-circuit ratio (SCR) reveals a stability limit for the standalone LCC-HVDC link and demonstrates that the integration of a grid-forming voltage source converter (GFM-VSC) substantially increases the stability margin.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2026

Enabling Small-Signal Stability Analysis of Black-Box Voltage Source Converters in Large-Scale Modern Power Systems

Modern power systems increasingly rely on power electronic converters, yet many of these devices are provided as black-box models, limiting the applicability of conventional small-signal analysis (SSA) tools. This work presents a unified multi-variable fitted state-space (SSA-FITSS) methodology that enables accurate small-signal modeling of black-box Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) using frequency-domain (FD) identification, adaptive pole-expansion, and reduced-order realization. The method includes an automated state-interpretation strategy that assigns fitted states to representative control-loop categories based on their dominant frequency ranges, providing an approximate but meaningful physical interpretation of the identified dynamics. This capability allows extensive modal analysis, including eigenvalue sensitivities and participation factors, in systems where internal converter details are unavailable. The methodology is validated on a grid-following (GFL) VSC and applied to the New England system, which contains multiple black-box converters operating in both GFL and grid-forming (GFM) modes. Results show that the SSA-FITSS models accurately reproduce converter and system dynamics, support full eigenvalue-based analysis, and reveal stability limits under varying synchronous generation and GFL penetration levels. The approach overcomes key limitations of existing identification-based techniques by enabling scalable, interpretable, and system-wide stability assessment.

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