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GRID-INDIA Recommends Grid-Forming Technology for Large-Scale BESS in Weak and Remote Grid Areas

Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) has proposed that new battery energy storage system (BESS) projects with capacities exceeding 50 MW should be equipped with grid-forming inverter capabilities, particularly when deployed in weak-grid or geographically remote locations. The recommendation is aimed at strengthening system resilience as India’s power network accommodates a growing share of inverter-based renewable generation.

The proposal has been outlined in a recently released discussion paper titled “Grid-Forming Technology and Possible Applications in the Indian Power System.” The document examines emerging grid-stability challenges linked to high penetration of solar, wind, and storage assets that rely on power electronics rather than conventional synchronous generation.

According to the paper, most large inverter-based resources currently operating in India use grid-following (GFL) control, which synchronises with existing grid voltage and frequency using phase-locked loops. While effective under strong system conditions, GRID-INDIA notes that such configurations can encounter performance limitations in low-strength grids, offering limited voltage and frequency support during system disturbances.

In contrast, grid-forming (GFM) inverters are described as a more advanced control approach that allows inverters to function as controlled voltage sources. This enables them to independently establish voltage and frequency references, support islanded operation, and provide black-start capability—features that are critical for stabilising weaker sections of the grid.

The paper highlights that global operational experience and simulation studies demonstrate that grid-forming technology can deliver faster frequency response, enhanced damping, improved transient stability, and more reliable performance in areas with high inverter-based resource penetration. These characteristics make the technology particularly relevant for India’s evolving power system.

GRID-INDIA has suggested a phased implementation strategy, noting that grid-forming solutions are already commercially available and have been deployed in transmission-connected applications internationally. As an initial step, the paper recommends that new BESS installations of 50 MW and above integrate grid-forming capability where system strength is a concern.

To support adoption, the paper calls for the launch of large-scale pilot projects, especially those combining BESS with grid-forming inverters, to build operational experience and validate performance under Indian grid conditions.

The discussion also proposes gradual harmonisation of Indian grid standards with international testing and compliance frameworks, allowing flexibility for voluntary or staged integration. Close coordination among equipment manufacturers, renewable and storage developers, system operators, and regulators has been identified as essential for ensuring secure operation of an increasingly inverter-dominated grid.

Further research areas highlighted in the paper include conversion pathways from grid-following to grid-forming control, standardisation of equipment, application of grid-forming technology for black-start operations, and development of detailed technical specifications. The document also stresses the need for robust fault and event recording systems within grid-forming installations to enable detailed post-disturbance analysis.

While the current discussion focuses on inverter-level applications across solar, wind, and storage projects, GRID-INDIA notes that future studies may extend grid-forming concepts to transmission-level assets, including STATCOMs and HVDC converter stations.