Modern electrical grids are undergoing an unprecedented transformation, moving from a centralized paradigm to one increasingly reliant on distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar PV, battery storage, and electric vehicles. At the heart of this paradigm shift are advanced inverters, sophisticated power electronic devices that not only convert DC power to AC but also provide critical grid support functionalities essential for maintaining grid stability, reliability, and power quality. Unlike traditional inverters, these next-generation devices can actively regulate voltage, manage reactive power, provide fault ride-through capabilities, and even contribute to grid frequency support, turning distributed energy sources into active grid assets. Without mastering Advanced Inverter Design and Grid Support Functions, grid operators, renewable energy developers, and equipment manufacturers face significant challenges in integrating high penetrations of DERs while ensuring overall system integrity and performance in a complex, bidirectional power flow environment. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Advanced Inverter Design and Grid Support Functions.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower electrical engineers, power electronics specialists, renewable energy developers, grid integration engineers, and researchers with the theoretical understanding and practical tools necessary to design, analyze, and implement advanced inverter solutions for grid support. Participants will gain a deep understanding of power converter topologies, explore advanced control strategies for grid-forming and grid-following operations, learn about various grid support functions mandated by modern grid codes, and acquire skills in modeling and simulating inverter behavior under diverse grid conditions. The course will delve into topics such as Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) in grid applications, cybersecurity for inverter-based resources (IBRs), the impact of high IBR penetration on grid inertia, and the evolving role of inverters in microgrids and virtual power plants (VPPs). By mastering the principles and practical application of Advanced Inverter Design and Grid Support Functions, participants will be prepared to innovate and contribute significantly to the development of resilient, efficient, and sustainable power grids of the future.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Electrical Engineers specializing in Power Electronics
• Renewable Energy System Designers
• Grid Integration Engineers
• R&D Engineers in Inverter Manufacturing
• Power System Protection and Control Engineers
• Smart Grid Architects
• Utility Engineers involved in DER Interconnection
• Researchers in Distributed Generation
• Technical Managers in Renewable Energy Companies
• Graduate Students in Power Engineering

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of power electronic converters used in advanced inverters.
• Learn about various inverter topologies for grid-connected and off-grid applications.
• Acquire skills in designing control loops for active and reactive power.
• Comprehend techniques for implementing essential grid support functions (e.g., voltage/frequency regulation).
• Explore strategies for achieving Fault Ride-Through (FRT) capabilities in inverters.
• Understand the importance of grid-forming and grid-following inverter controls.
• Gain insights into power quality issues and their mitigation by inverters.
• Develop a practical understanding of modeling and simulating advanced inverters in grid studies.
• Learn about cybersecurity considerations for inverter-based resources.
• Master the impact of high inverter penetration on grid dynamics.
• Acquire skills in interpreting and complying with modern grid codes.
• Understand the role of inverters in microgrids and virtual power plants.
• Explore advanced communication protocols for inverter control.
• Develop proficiency in troubleshooting common inverter-grid interaction issues.
• Prepare to innovate and apply advanced inverter technologies for future grid challenges.

Course Content

Module 1: Fundamentals of Power Electronic Converters

• Review of basic semiconductor devices (IGBTs, MOSFETs).
• DC-AC conversion principles: voltage source inverters (VSI).
• Single-phase and three-phase inverter topologies.
• Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) techniques for voltage control and harmonic reduction.
• Switching losses, efficiency, and thermal management in inverters.

Module 2: Grid-Connected Inverter Topologies and Architectures

• Centralized vs. string vs. micro-inverter architectures for PV.
• Multi-level inverters: Diode-clamped, flying capacitor, cascaded H-bridge, Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs).
• Advantages and disadvantages of various topologies for specific applications.
• Transformer-less vs. transformer-based inverter designs.
• Design considerations for high power and high voltage applications.

Module 3: Inverter Control for Grid-Following Operation

• Grid synchronization techniques: Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs).
• Control of active and reactive power for grid export/import.
• Current control loop design: proportional-integral (PI) controllers.
• Voltage control loop design for reactive power compensation.
• Anti-islanding detection methods and compliance.

Module 4: Advanced Grid Support Functions (I)

• Voltage Ride-Through (VRT) and Fault Ride-Through (FRT) capabilities.
• Low Voltage Ride-Through (LVRT) and High Voltage Ride-Through (HVRT) requirements and implementation.
• Reactive power support and dynamic voltage control.
• Voltage and frequency support during grid disturbances.
• Meeting grid code requirements for dynamic performance.

Module 5: Advanced Grid Support Functions (II)

• Active power curtailment and ramp rate control.
• Frequency support: droop control, synthetic inertia, fast frequency response.
• Power oscillation damping.
• Power quality improvement: harmonic filtering, unbalance compensation.
• Voltage and reactive power optimization (Volt/VAR control).

Module 6: Grid-Forming Inverters and Microgrid Applications

• Concept of grid-forming (GFM) vs. grid-following (GFL) inverters.
• Control strategies for GFM inverters: droop control for voltage and frequency.
• Black start capability and seamless islanding/reconnection.
• Role of GFM inverters in microgrids and weak grids.
• Challenges and opportunities for GFM inverter deployment.

Module 7: Modeling, Simulation, and Grid Impact

• Dynamic modeling of advanced inverters for power system studies.
• Software tools for inverter simulation (e.g., PSCAD/EMTDC, MATLAB/Simulink, DIgSILENT PowerFactory).
• Simulating inverter behavior under fault conditions and grid disturbances.
• Impact of high inverter-based resource (IBR) penetration on grid inertia and stability.
• Analyzing harmonic distortion and power quality metrics from IBRs.

Module 8: Emerging Trends and Future of Advanced Inverters

• Cybersecurity for inverter-based resources: threats and mitigation.
• Advanced communication protocols for DER control (e.g., IEEE 2030.5, IEC 61850).
• The role of AI and machine learning in optimizing inverter performance.
• Inverters as key enablers for Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and grid services.
• Research and development in wide bandgap (WBG) devices (SiC, GaN) for next-generation inverters.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.