• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.240-249
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• 2018

Individual DC voltage balance problem is an inherent issue for cascaded H-bridge (CHB) based converter. When the CHB-based static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) is operating at zero current mode, the software-based individual DC voltage balancing control techniques may not work because of the infinitesimal output current. However, the different power losses of each cell would lead to the individual DC voltages unbalance. The uneven power losses on the local supplied cell-controllers (including the control circuit and drive circuit) would especially cause the divergence of individual DC voltages, due to their characteristic as constant power loads. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an adaptive voltage balancing module which is designed in the cell-controller board with small size and low cost circuits. It is controlled to make the power loss of the cell a constant resistance load, thus the DC voltages are balanced in zero current mode. Field test in a 10kV STATCOM confirms the performance of the proposed method.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.670-684
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• 2015

The hybrid cascaded multilevel inverter (HCMLI) is a popular converter topology that is being increasingly used in high power medium voltage drives. The intricacy of the control technique for a HCMLI increases with the number of levels and due to fluctuating dc voltages. This paper presents a novel offline quadrant search based space vector modulation technique to synthesize a sinusoidal output from a dispersed pattern of voltage vectors due to different voltages in the auxiliary unit. Such an investigation has never been reported in the literature and it is being attempted for the first time. The method suggested distributes the voltage vectors for a reduced total harmonic distortion at minimal computation. In addition, the proposed algorithm determines the maximum modulation index in the linear modulation range in order to synthesize a sinusoidal output for both normal and abnormal vector patterns. It is better suited for a wide range of practical applications. It is particularly well suited for renewable source fed inverters which utilize large capacitor banks to maintain the dc link, which are prone to such slow fluctuations. The proposed quadrant search space vector modulation technique is simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK and implemented using a Nexys-2 Spartan-3E FPGA for a developed prototype.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.660-669
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• 2015

This paper presents a control scheme with a focus on the combination of phase disposition pulse width modulation (PDPWM) and DC capacitor voltage control for a chopper-cell based modular multilevel converter (MMC) for the purpose of eliminating the time-consuming voltage sorting algorithm and complex voltage balancing regulators. In this paper, the convergence of the DC capacitor voltages within one arm is realized by charging the minimum voltage module and discharging the maximum voltage module during each switching cycle with the assistances of MAX/MIN capacitor voltage detection and PDPWM signals exchanging. The process of voltage balancing control introduces no extra switching commutation, which is helpful in reducing power loss and improving system efficiency. Additionally, the proposed control scheme also possess the merit of a simple executing procedure in application. Simulation and experimental results indicates that the MMC circuit together with the proposed method functions very well in balancing the DC capacitor voltage and improving system efficiency even under transient states.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.467-481
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• 2018

Modular multilevel converter (MMC)-based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) presents attractive technical advantages and contributes to enhanced system operation and reduced oscillation damping in dynamic MMC-HVDC systems. We propose an advanced small-signal multi-terminal MMC-HVDC based on dynamic phasors and state space for power system stability analysis to enhance computational accuracy and reduce simulation time. In accordance with active and passive network control strategies for multi-terminal MMC-HVDC, the matchable small-signal stability models containing high harmonics and dynamics of internal variables are conducted, and a related theoretical derivation is carried out. The proposed advanced small-signal model is then compared with electromagnetic-transient and traditional small-signal state-space models by adopting a typical multi-terminal MMC-HVDC network with offshore wind generation. Simulation indicates that the advanced small-signal model can successfully follow the electromechanical transient response with small errors and can predict the damped oscillations. The validity and applicability of the proposed model are effectively confirmed.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.359-365
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• 2018

This study introduces a model predictive control method for controlling a cascaded flying capacitor multilevel rectifier used as an AC-DC rectifier of a solid-state transformer for DC distribution systems. The proposed method reduces the number of states that need to be considered in model predictive control by separately controlling input current, output DC link voltage, and flying capacitor voltage. Thus, calculation time is shortened to facilitate the level expansion of the cascaded flying capacitor multilevel rectifier. The selection of weighting factors did not present difficulties because the weighting factors in the cost function of the conventional model predictive control are not used. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through computer simulation using powersim and experiment.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.430-438
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• 2023

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) has emerged as a key component in HVDC systems due to its ability to efficiently transmit large amounts of power over long distances. In such systems, accurate estimation of the MMC capacitor voltage is of utmost importance for ensuring optimal system performance, stability, and reliability. Traditional methods for voltage estimation may face limitations in accuracy and robustness, prompting the need for innovative approaches. In this paper, we propose a novel distributed neural network observer specifically designed for MMC capacitor voltage estimation. Our observer harnesses the power of a multi-layer neural network architecture, which enables the observer to learn and adapt to the complex dynamics of the MMC system. By utilizing a distributed approach, we deploy multiple observers, each with its own set of neural network layers, to collectively estimate the capacitor voltage. This distributed configuration enhances the accuracy and robustness of the voltage estimation process. A crucial aspect of our observer's performance lies in the meticulous initialization of random weights within the neural network. This initialization process ensures that the observer starts with a solid foundation for efficient learning and accurate voltage estimation. The observer iteratively updates its weights based on the observed voltage and current values, continuously improving its estimation accuracy over time. The validity of proposed algorithm is verified by the result of estimated voltage at each observer in capacitor of MMC.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.17-23
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• 2020

This paper proposes a simulation model using an equivalent circuit for the development of an MMC system. The MMC has been chosen as the most suitable topology for high voltage power transmission, such as a voltage-type HVDC, and it has dozens to hundreds of sub-modules in the form of a half-bridge or full-bridge connected in series. A simulation study is essential for the development of an MMC algorithm. On the other hand, it is virtually impossible to construct and implement MMC simulation models, including hundreds or thousands of switching devices. Therefore, this paper presents an MMC equivalent model, which is easily expandable and implemented by modeling the dynamic characteristics. The voltage and current equation of the equivalent circuit was calculated using the direction of the arm current and switching signal. The model was implemented on Matlab/Simulink. In this paper, to show the validity of the model developed using Matlab/Simulink, the simulation results of a five-level MMC using the real switching element and the proposed equivalent model are shown. The validity of the proposed model was verified by showing that the current and voltage waveform in the two models match each other.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.419-427
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• 2019

Several multilevel converter topologies have been proposed and compared. The three-level (3L) neutral-point-clamped (NPC) topology is promising and widely accepted. However, this topology suffers from uneven loss distribution among switches due to its fixed switching strategy. The 3L active NPC (ANPC) topology, which exhibits improved loss distribution profile, was proposed to address this disadvantage. The 3L T-NPC topology, a hybrid configuration of 2L and 3L NPC topologies, was introduced to address not only the loss distribution problem but also the reduction in the number of switches. In the present research, the application of these three topologies in PMSG-based medium-voltage wind turbines was investigated. The power devices considered were 10 kV IGCTs. Performance was evaluated in terms of a power loss of 10 kV IGCT for each NPC topology, which is a crucial indicator of thermal behavior, reliability, cost, and lifetime of any converter. The comparison was performed using ABB make 10 kV IGCT 5SHY17L9000 and the simulation tool PLECS.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.452-458
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• 2019

This study proposes a new test circuit and control method for the submodules of modular multilevel converter (MMC)-based HVDC systems. The test current of conventional submodule test circuits cannot provide the DC offset components or may have some distortion in the linearized current with the DC offset. The proposed scheme can provide not only the DC component but also linearized current without distortion. Therefore, the submodule test current waveform is relatively similar to that of a real submodule consisting of an MMC-based HVDC system. The validity of the proposed circuit and control method is verified through a simulation and experiment.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.567-577
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• 2012

This paper introduces a new scheme to balance the DC bus voltages of a cascaded H-bridge converter which is used as a Distribution Static Synchronous Series Compensator (D-SSSC) in electrical distribution network. The aim of D-SSSC is to control the power flow between two feeders from different substations. As a result of different cell losses and capacitors tolerance the cells DC bus voltage can deviate from their reference values. In the proposed scheme, by individually modifying the reference PWM signal for each cell, an effective balancing procedure is derived. The new balancing procedure needs only the line current sign and is independent of the main control strategy, which controls the total DC bus voltages of cascaded H-bridge. The effect of modulation index variation on the capacitor voltage is analytically derived for the proposed strategy. The proposed method takes advantages of phase shift carrier based modulation and can be applied for a cascaded H-bridge with any number of cells. Also the system is immune to loss of one cell and the presented procedure can keep balancing between the remaining cells. Simulation studies and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method in the balancing of DC bus voltages.