Virtual Intertia in Power Systems

[OliskaP]

Hi again PF.

I recently came across the term "virtual inertia" when reading about photovoltaics and power converters (DC/DC, DC/AC etc.). Article: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=6953370, not sure if people are able to view the article, I have access via university library.

I have problem understanding the term virtual inertia, PV modules themselves have no inertia, but when connected together with a energy storage device, a battery for example, can introduce virtual inertia to the grid, how?

My background is from mechanical, just started learning electrical engineering. So from a mechanical background I have trouble understanding how the setup mentioned above can introduce inertia without any rotating parts, hence virtual inertia.

 

[anorlunda]

The abstract explains it. They propose to use batteries and smart controls to make the PV installations simulate the behavior of a power plant that really does have inertia.