Grid-forming technology, once considered experimental, is now operational and being implemented in various power systems globally. Sungrow recently published a paper to clarify the advancements made in this field, highlighting its capacity to mimic synchronous generators’ behaviors while integrating modern inverter technologies. This technology is vital for maintaining voltage and frequency stability, especially as renewable energy sources grow and traditional systems retire. The ongoing development focuses on improving system performance and regulatory alignment, which remain key challenges to wider implementation.
One of the reasons we started this conversation was the paper Sungrow released on grid-forming technology. Could you walk us through why you published it and what it covers? Of course. We released the paper to share the insights and technical progress we’ve made in grid-forming technology. As more inverter-based resources connect to power systems globally, we recognized the need to provide a clear overview of what grid-forming actually involves – not just as a control concept but as a multi-layered integration of hardware, software, and system-level engineering. The paper highlights how we replicate the fundamental behaviors of synchronous generators, such as inertia and damping, while maintaining the flexibility of power electronics. It’s also an effort to contribute to industry-wide understanding and collaboration.
How long has grid-forming been in development, and what has the path looked like for Sungrow? The concept dates back one or two decades. The industry has been working on its implementation, and different manufacturers may take slightly different approaches. At Sungrow, our journey has focused on building a solid technological foundation that merges the physics of traditional generation with the advantages of modern inverter systems. That includes everything from frequency response and short-circuit support to thermal management and multi-layer control architectures. Our aim has always been to bring stability, scalability, and interoperability to complex power systems—on- and off-grid.
Speaking of off-grid, would you say that’s where this technology first took hold? Yes, that’s correct. Many early implementations were in off-grid or islanded systems – environments where maintaining voltage and frequency stability without a central grid is especially challenging. But now we see the same needs growing in grid-connected environments, particularly as renewable penetration increases and conventional synchronous machines retire.
How do grid-forming inverters compare with synchronous generators when it comes to real-world disturbance response? Functionally, grid-forming inverters aim to replicate the voltage-source behavior of synchronous machines. They provide inertia-like response, frequency regulation, voltage control, and even fault ride-through. The difference lies in the hardware: synchronous generators are electromechanical, while inverters are software-based devices. This means we have to carefully design control strategies—and sometimes enhance hardware—to achieve similar responses. For example, we’ve developed more efficient cooling systems and cell balancing schemes to handle the frequent cycling that grid-forming entails.
How do the costs compare to synchronous generators, especially considering operation and maintenance? Synchronous machines have high maintenance due to moving parts and prime movers. Our inverter systems – for both PV and energy storage fields – are modular, have no moving parts, and are easier to monitor and upgrade. The ability to reprogram functionality via firmware updates is a major advantage. In the long run, grid-forming inverters offer a more cost-effective and flexible solution, especially as requirements change.
What are the current barriers to wider adoption – technical, regulatory, or economic? All three, to some degree. Technically, it’s more complex to implement and scale grid-forming systems. Regulatory environments are fragmented, though that’s improving. Economic is less of a concern. Grid-forming inverters offer long-term value through lower maintenance, higher flexibility, and firmware upgradeability. Meanwhile the manufacturers are striving to reduce the cost of the technology through more maturity. One of the biggest challenges is operational experience – this is still a relatively new technology, and we need more time and data to build confidence across the industry.
How different are regulatory requirements across markets for grid-forming technology? They vary quite a bit. China, for