Grid-Forming Control Benchmarking with Matched Dominant Dynamics

Comparisons of grid-forming converter controls can confound synchronization structure with operating point, dynamic speed, damping, and current allocation. This study develops a reference-point benchmarking procedure for droop, virtual synchronous machine, and matching-inspired synchronization archetypes. A finite-resistance power–angle model yields closed-form reduced-order gains. The dominant targets are then restored in a cascaded dq average-value model; instead of checking only the selected outer modes, every retained eigenvalue is checked. Rather than complete dynamic equivalence, the procedure controls specified local confounders while retaining differences in state order, nonlinear energy dynamics, and saturation. Its applicability is examined through independent parameter baselines, grid strength and limiter studies, fault duration sensitivity, a two-converter coupling case, sensitivity check a using a common speed target, algebraic versus dynamic grid impedance, and deterministic tuning space coverage. Numerical convergence, recovery definitions, and cross-solver checks are documented separately from physical validation. The contribution is an auditable comparison protocol, with explicit limits on the operating range and model fidelity for which its conclusions apply. It is not a universal controller ranking or an experimentally validated converter design.