Inertia, Stability, and Nonlinear Dynamics in a Grid with Inverter-Based Resources

The dynamic behavior of the electric grid is changing rapidly as inverter-based resources (IBRs) replace traditional synchronous generators in delivering critical system services. This rapid shift—driven by the growth of distributed generation and energy storage—requires a fundamental re-evaluation of how we define and assess grid stability. In particular, the traditional concept of grid “inertia” must be reconsidered to ensure that stability metrics accurately reflect modern system behavior.
In this presentation, I will discuss the nonlinear dynamic nature of the power grid, the influence of increasing IBR penetration on stability, and our recent work on transient stability assessment. I will highlight examples involving grid-forming inverter models and our efforts to incorporate improved stability metrics into simulation frameworks. By combining physical intuition with practical modeling, this ongoing work aims to inform new approaches to stability assessment for the future power grid.
Speaker(s): John Zhang
Agenda:
12:30pm – Event Starts
1:30pm – Adjourn
Times are in PST.
Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/521292