Grid-Forming Control in HVDC-based Offshore Wind Farms: A Review of Recent Worldwide Breakthroughs and Challenges for the Brazilian Scenario

Paulo J. D. de O. Evald; Hugo N. Raffi; Lenon Schmitz; Jéssika M. de Andrade; Romero Leandro Andersen; Telles B. Lazzarin

doi:10.18618/REP.e202621

Authors

Paulo J. D. de O. Evald Federal University of Pelotas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5383-053X
Hugo N. Raffi Federal University of Santa Catarina
Lenon Schmitz Federal University of Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4912-1519
Jéssika M. de Andrade Federal University of Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2974-5711
Romero Leandro Andersen Federal University of Paraíba
Telles B. Lazzarin Federal University of Santa Catarina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.e202621

Keywords:

Ancillary services, Black start, Frequency regulation, Virtual inertia, Voltage regulation

Abstract

Offshore wind power generation has become established as a technically attractive alternative for coastal regions. In this scenario, the migration from grid-following control strategies to grid-forming approaches emerges as a demand of the power system to encapsulate grid support functionalities within the wind energy conversion systems (WECS), consolidating grid-forming as one of the main research frontiers. This work provides a review on recent control strategies for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission-based offshore wind farms, exploring the innovative breakthroughs and explaining how these approaches enable voltage and frequency regulation, black start capability, and improved dynamic performance. The interplay between grid-formation capability, system inertia emulation, and fault ride-through capability is also examined. By bridging the gap between academic advancements and real-world offshore deployment, this study outlines future pathways toward inverter-dominated offshore WECS. Additionally, this work also offers insights into the challenges associated with integrating grid-forming inverters into offshore WECS, with particular consideration given to the Brazilian context.

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Author Biographies

Paulo J. D. de O. Evald, Federal University of Pelotas

holds a bachelor’s degree in Automation Engineer (2016) and a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering (2018), both from the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), and a PhD in Electrical Engineering (2021) from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM). He was a post-doctoral researcher at Intelligent Automation and Robotics Research Group (NAUTEC/FURG) from 2022 to 2023. Since 2022, he has been a Professor at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) in the Engineering Center. Besides, since 2024 he is a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute of Power Electronics (INEP) at Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). He is the leader of the Intelligent Systems and Control Group (GSIC/UFPel), and a member of the INEP/UFSC, Group of Power Electronics and Control (GEPOC) from UFSM, the Brazilian Society of Power Electronics (SOBRAEP), and National Institute of Science and Technology in Power Electronics: Developing Technologies for a Sustainable Energy Transition (INCT EPTech).

Hugo N. Raffi, Federal University of Santa Catarina

holds a technical degree in Electronics from the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso (2018) and a bachelor’s degree (2024) in Electrical Engineering from UFSC. Currently, he is a Master’s student in Electrical Engineering at UFSC.

Jéssika M. de Andrade, Federal University of Santa Catarina

holds a bachelor's degree in electronic systems from the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina (2015), a master's degree (2018) and a PhD (2022) in Electrical Engineering from UFSC, and a postdoctoral degree from INEP/UFSC (2023). Since 2023, she is a Professor at UFSC in the Department of Mobility Engineering. She is member of INEP/UFSC, SOBRAEP, and INCT EPTech.

Romero Leandro Andersen, Federal University of Paraíba

olds a bachelor’s degree (2003), master degree (2006) e PhD (2010) in Electrical Engineering from UFSC. He was a post-doctoral researcher at UFSC from 2010 to 2012. Since 2012, he has been a Professor at Federal University of Paraíba in the Center for Alternative and Renewable Energies.

Telles B. Lazzarin, Federal University of Santa Catarina

holds a bachelor's degree (2004), a master's degree (2006), a doctorate (2010), and a postdoctorate (2011) in Electrical Engineering from UFSC. He was a visiting researcher at Northeastern University in Boston from 2017 to 2018. Since 2013, he has been a Professor at UFSC in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Currently, he is Visiting Professor at Laboratoire de Génie électrique et électronique de Paris (GeePs) at France, coordinator of INCT EPTech, president of SOBRAEP, and Associate Editor of the IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics (OJ-PEL) and the Open Journal of Power Electronics.

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