Grid Forming vs Grid Following

Grid forming and Grid following are two distinct inverter control strategies used to integrate diverse energy sources like solar, wind, battery storage, etc. Traditionally, power plants (generators) provide voltage and frequency reference for the grid. The main difference between grid forming and grid following inverter lies between “HOW” the inverters regulate voltage and frequency.

Grid Forming :

Grid forming is the ability of the inverter to establish and maintain stable grid voltage and frequency support and also capable to work in a standalone mode.

It is the control strategy for integrating different renewable energy sources.

Grid forming inverters also help in restoring grid after blackout.

Grid forming control and adjust their modulated voltage with respect to grid voltage at the point of common communication with the grid.

Grid Following :

Grid following inverters sync output voltage and frequency with the existing voltage and frequency of the grid.

Grid following inverters match power output and phase angle and rely on grid’s stability and adjust operation.

Grid following inverters are commonly used in photovoltaic solar systems.

These inverters cannot establish grid like connections on their own and therefore cannot work in standalone mode.