The next wave of power: Grid forming solutions
Power grids are entering a new era. As renewable penetration grows and system strength declines, grid‑forming technology is emerging as the key to securing stability, resilience and future‑ready operations.
Download the whitepaper
Download your free copy of the whitepaper to deep dive into:
- How weak grid conditions arise and why traditional grid‑following inverters struggle to maintain stability.
- How grid‑forming converters enhance system resilience, including voltage and frequency support, synthetic inertia, rapid disturbance response and black‑start capability.
- Which control strategies and technologies enable grid‑forming behavior across assets such as HVDC, offshore wind, and BESS.
- What global front‑runner projects reveal about the real‑world benefits of grid‑forming technology.
- How evolving regulations and grid codes are making grid‑forming capability mandatory, and what organizations must do now to remain compliant and future‑ready.
Who will benefit from the whitepaper:
- Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) planning for high renewable share operations
- Developers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) connecting inverter-based resources (BESS, solar, offshore wind, HVDC)
- Investors seeking insights into grid resilience, market opportunities, and risk mitigation
- Policy, market design, and grid code stakeholders
The next wave of power: Grid forming solutions
Frequently asked questions
- What is grid forming (GFM) technology and why is it becoming essential?
- How do grid forming converters differ from grid following inverters?
- Why are weak grids becoming more common in renewable‑rich systems?
- Which technologies can provide grid forming capabilities today?
- How does grid forming operation improve frequency response?
Grid forming converters actively establish voltage, frequency, and system strength at the point of connection—providing synthetic inertia, fast frequency response, voltage/reactive power support, black start, and islanding capability. As synchronous machines retire and nonsynchronous penetration increases, these capabilities are critical for maintaining stability in weak grids and high‑renewable systems.
Grid following inverters rely on an existing stable voltage reference and therefore struggle in weak systems with low short‑circuit strength. Grid forming devices create the reference, meaning they can operate independently, stabilize weak grids, and deliver services historically provided by synchronous machines.
As inverter‑based resources replace synchronous generators, the power system experiences lower inertia, lower short‑circuit strength, increased sensitivity to control interactions, and higher nonsynchronous penetration. This combination makes traditional control strategies insufficient, increasing the need for grid‑forming operation.
Multiple asset types can perform grid forming functions, including HVDC interconnectors, offshore wind power plants, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), hybrid STATCOM and power electronics solutions, emerging Energy Islands. These deployments already demonstrate improved frequency response, voltage support, and reduced reliance on synchronous condensers.
Grid forming converters provide synthetic inertia and fast frequency response, helping reduce frequency dips, improve recovery times, and stabilize systems with high nonsynchronous penetration. This makes them particularly valuable as conventional inertia sources disappear.