Work

Stability assessment considering multi-timescale power system dynamics: Insights into Hopf bifurcations with GFL and GFM IBRs

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Real power systems exhibit dynamics that evolve across a wide range of timescales, from very fast to very slow phenomena. Historically, incorporating these wide-ranging dynamics into a single model has been impractical. As a result, power engineers rely on timescale decomposition to simplify models. When evaluating fast phenomena, slow dynamics are often neglected (assumed constant), and vice versa. This paper underscores the limitations of this traditional approach by demonstrating the importance of assessing power system stability while considering multiple timescales simultaneously. Using the concept of Hopf bifurcations, the study illustrates instability issues that would be missed if multi-timescale dynamics are not considered. Specifically, it exemplifies a class of instability that is overlooked when multi-timescale dynamics are decoupled, with a particular emphasis on networks featuring inverter-based resources.

Source: Electric Power Systems Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.epsr.2026.113598

Authors: Luis David Pabón Ospina, Martin Braun, Sushobhan Chatterjee, Sijia Geng

Institutions: University of Kassel, Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology, Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Power System Optimization and Stability

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,810