The grid conditions undergo continuous transformations due to increasing penetration of renewable distributed energy resources. In the future grid conditions will be significantly influenced by power generating converters. It is critical that these changes in the electrical grids do not negatively affect the stability. To mitigate that, the power generating converter control strategies must transition from grid following approaches to grid forming control. This general control change necessitated the development of new test methods. In addition to new test parameters (such as phase jumps, impedance scan or island operation capability), this also requires an appropriate testing facilities, and emulation of instantaneous changing of grid conditions in real time, in order to validate the correct operation and robustness of grid forming mode (GFM) converters and their control systems.

This work describes the concept of potential application of ACS6080-based grid simulator from ABB and its newly introduced current source mode, to support the testing of GFM converters with focus on their island conditions. The obtained simulation results demonstrate promising performance and provide a base for future investigations involving real equipment, towards approaching the viable alternative to conventional test setups, enabling a broader scope and greater diversity of GFM generation units conformity testing.