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Virtual Synchronous Machine

VSM. Equipment that includes a DC/AC converter controlled to mimic a conventional synchronous machine.

Definition in an IEEE Standard

Source: 1

A virtual synchronous machine is a piece of equipment that includes a DC/AC power electronic converter (PEC) controlled to mimic and, in some cases, to surpass the dynamics and behavior of a conventional synchronous machine (SM) through the inherent synchronization mechanism of SM.

virtual damping: The damping effect that is implemented through a control function.

virtual impedance: The impedance that is implemented through a control function.

virtual inertia: The inertia that is implemented through a control function to emulate the physical inertia of an SM

Last modified: 2025-06-20

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  1. (2025). IEEE Recommended Practice for Use and Functions of Virtual Synchronous Machines. https://doi.org/10.1109/IEEESTD.2025.10850696 ↩