Synchronization generally refers to the ability of a power system to keep a common frequency across the whole grid. This is a direct consequence of the behaviour of synchronous machines, which can be in steady state only if their rotor speed is synchronous with the frequency of the grid. This seminar introduces a different approach to define the local synchronization of power systems devices.

The starting point is the difference between the “complex frequency” of the voltage and current injected at terminals. Complex frequency is novel concept recently proposed by the presenter and that include information on both phase and magnitude rate of changes of voltages and currents. Formal definitions are provided to account for bounded and asymptotic local synchronization.

These definitions are suitable for modern power systems as they remove classical assumptions limiting the application of the concept of synchronization to synchronous machines and omitting voltage dynamics. The seminar blends theory and a variety of examples that illustrate the practical application of the proposed definitions to power systems modelling and stability analysis.