Pole–zero placement based feed-forward damping control for virtual synchronous generators in power systems with inverter-based resources

• Pole-zero based peak-time and settling-time loci for virtual synchronous generator. • Proposed feed-forward damping controller improves all VSG transient parameters. • Feed-forward gain tuned via critical damping and eigenvalue analysis. • HIL validation confirms robust VSG damping in multi machine opera-tion. Grid-forming inverter-based sources act as virtual synchronous generators (VSGs) to support frequency regulation in renewable-integrated, low-inertia power systems. However, conventional VSG control strategies exhibit an inherent trade-off: while higher inertia improves frequency stability, it leads to increased overshoot in the instantaneous output power, whereas lower inertia reduces power overshoot at the expense of frequency performance. To address this limitation, a comprehensive pole–zero analysis is conducted, deriving constant settling-time and peak-time loci that reveal how pole–zero placement governs VSG dynamics. Based on this analysis, a novel feed-forward damping controller is proposed whose gain decouples the conflicting effects of inertia and damping, thereby simultaneously improving the dynamic responses of output power and frequency. The controller gain is further optimized by accounting for multi-machine interactions, generator parameters, and transmission-line characteristics. Simulation results demonstrate simultaneous reductions in settling time, peak time, and overshoot, establishing an effective framework for VSG control in future low-inertia power systems.