An energy storage system like a coal power plant. Breakthrough research on grid‑forming technology

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Scientists have proven that large‑scale energy‑storage systems equipped with advanced grid‑forming inverters are capable of rapidly stabilizing the power grid. Computer simulations showed that this technology mimics the dynamic properties of synchronous generators used in conventional power plants, providing unprecedented resilience for systems dominated by renewable energy sources.

A digital alternative to giant turbines

Traditional power systems rely on heavy, rotating synchronous generators which naturally stabilize frequency and voltage thanks to their inertia. Conventional solar and wind installations feed electricity through standard inverters that merely follow grid parameters — when the grid fails, they shut down as well.

The solution to this problem is grid‑forming technology. Such inverters create their own stable voltage and frequency profile, emulating the behavior of synchronous machines.

Researchers from Jordanian universities (Yarmouk University and Al‑Ahliyya Amman University) decided to test how such a system would perform under extreme conditions. The results were published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports.

Extreme‑condition testing

The researchers created an advanced digital model reflecting real industrial infrastructure. The system consisted of:

  • a 100 MW photovoltaic farm,
  • a 35 MW / 60 MWh energy‑storage system equipped with grid‑forming algorithms,
  • local loads and a connection to a high‑voltage transmission grid.

To test the limits of the technology, the system was subjected to a series of rigorous simulations replicating worst‑case scenarios faced by grid operators:

  • Sudden drop in PV production by half (e.g., a large cloud passing) — total system output briefly fell to 70–72 MW, but the GFM storage limited frequency deviation to only 0.8–1.0 Hz, stabilizing the system in just 0.5 seconds.
  • Sharp increase in electricity demand (by 45%) — frequency fluctuated by 1.3–1.5 Hz, yet the grid‑forming system restored full stability in under 0.4 seconds.
  • Grid failure (complete loss of external supply) — after disconnecting from the external grid, the system maintained stable operation.
  • Three‑phase faults (temporary and permanent) — even under the most severe permanent fault, when voltage collapsed, the storage system instantly injected reactive power (peaking at 45–48 MVAR) to support voltage recovery and stabilize the system.

Tests were conducted across various short‑circuit ratios (SCR from 0.42 to 4.5), demonstrating that grid‑forming technology performs exceptionally well even in weak grids with low short‑circuit strength.

The path toward a 100% renewable grid

“The results showed that the GFM‑BESS can rapidly support frequency and voltage recovery while maintaining stable operation of the solar farm. The scale of stability improvement exceeded our initial expectations,” emphasizes Dr. Lina Alhmoud, co‑author of the study.

The researchers’ work provides solid, quantitative evidence that grid‑forming technology is the missing link in the energy transition. It can significantly increase the share of renewable energy while maintaining grid stability.

In the next steps, the research team plans to focus on coordinating multiple grid‑forming sources operating simultaneously (e.g., batteries and wind farms) and on analyzing the economic feasibility of deploying such systems under real market conditions.

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