Virtual Inertia: Current State and Application in China's Power Systems

As the proportion of installed renewable energy increases, it leads to a relative decrease in the equivalent inertia of power systems and a decrease in stability conditions and disturbance damping quality. One method to address these issues is the technology of virtual inertia. China leads in the implementation of renewable energy infrastructure, making the utilization of virtual inertia systems particularly pertinent. This article provides a concise description of virtual inertia systems, examines the regulatory framework governing the implementation of virtual inertia technology at energy plants in China, and delineates the fundamental requirements for virtual inertia systems. Fifteen energy projects utilizing virtual inertia technology are examined, detailing the projects' characteristics, their application areas, and the technological impacts resulting from this technology's use. The analysis concludes that virtual inertia systems are employed in micro grids, energy storage systems, DC transmission, and China's unified electric power system for the integration of renewable energy sources.