• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.522-531
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• 2016

This paper proposes a new NLC (Nearest Level Control) scheme for MMCs (Modular Multilevel Converters), which offers voltage ripple reductions in the DC capacitor of the SM (Sub-Module), the output voltage harmonics, and the switching losses. The feasibility of the proposed NLC was verified through computer simulations. Based on these simulation results, a hardware prototype of a 10kVA, DC-1000V MMC was manufactured in the lab. Experiments were conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed NLC in an actual hardware environment. The experimental results were consistent with the results obtained from the computer simulations.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.127-135
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• 2017

Recently the researches on modular multi-level converter (MMC) are being highlighted because high quality and efficient power transmission have become key issues in high voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. This paper proposes an improved pre-charging method for the sub-module (SM) capacitor of MMC-based HVDC systems, which operates in the nearest level control (NLC) modulation and does not need additional circuits or pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques. The feasibility of the proposed method was verified through computer simulations for a scaled 3-phase 10kVA MMC with 12 SMs per each arm. Hardware experiments with a scaled prototype have also been performed in the lab to confirm the simulation results.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.65 no.10
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• pp.1655-1663
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• 2016

Recently the researches on Modular Multi-level Converter (MMC) are being highlighted because high quality and efficient power transmission are key issues in the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system. This paper proposes an improved pre-charging method for the sub-module capacitors in MMC that operates in Nearest Level Control (NLC) modulation. The proposed method does not require additional circuits or Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) techniques. The feasibility of proposed method was verified through computer simulations for a scaled 3-phase 10kVA MMC with 12 sub-modules per each arm. Hardware experiments with a scaled prototype were performed in the lab to confirm the simulation results.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.285-296
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• 2017

This paper proposes an improved modulation scheme for the medium voltage modular multi-level converter (MMC), which operates in the nearest level control and applies in the medium voltage direct current (MVDC) system. In the proposed modulation scheme, the offset (neutral-to-zero output) voltage is adjusted, with the phase voltage magnitude, thereby maintaining a constant value with N+1 level in the controllable modulation index (MI) range. In order to confirm the proposed scheme's validity, computer simulations for the 22.9 kV - 25 MVA MMC were performed with PSCAD/EMTDC, as well as hardware experiments for the 380 V - 10 kVA MMC. The proposed modulation scheme offers to build a constant pole voltage regardless of the MI value, and to build a phase voltage with improved total harmonic distortion (THD).

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1171-1181
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• 2019

Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)-based HVDC power transmission using a real-time simulator is one of the key technologies in power electronics research. This paper introduces the design methodology of a physical MMC-HVDC control system based on a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which has the advantage of high-speed parallel operation, and validates the accuracy of MMC-HVDC control when operated with a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). Finally, this paper compares and analyzes the characteristics of capacitor voltage balancing methods such as Nearest Level Control (NLC), NLC with a reduced switching frequency, and tolerance band modulation implemented on physical control system.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2015.11a
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• pp.59-60
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• 2015

본 논문에서는 직류송전 적용을 위해 전력계통과 연계된 모듈형 멀터레벨 컨버터(Modular Multi-level Converter)의 유 무효 전력제어에 대해 시뮬레이션 모델을 개발하고 그 특성을 분석하였다. 분석에 고려한 모듈형 멀티레벨 컨버터는 한 암당 12개의 서브모듈로 구성되어 있고 모듈레이션은 NLC (Nearest Level Control) 방식을 사용한다. 또한 DC 커패시터의 밸런싱은 버블소팅 방식을 적용하였고 순환전류를 억제하는 알고리즘을 고려하였다. 시뮬레이션을 통해 분석한 유 무효전류제어를 실험적으로 검증하기 위해 10kVA DC 1000V 하드웨어 축소모형을 제작하고 실험을 실시하였다. 실험결과는 시뮬레이션 결과와 일치함을 확인할 수 있었다. 향후에는 교류전압 불평형 보상과 순환전류 제어, 컨버터 보호에 대한 다양한 알고리즘을 도출할 예정이다.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.63 no.8
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• pp.1046-1054
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• 2014

In this paper, a hardware prototype for the 10kVA 11-level MMC was built and various experimental works were conducted to verify the operation algorithms of MMC. The hardware prototype was designed using computer simulation with PSCAD/EMTDC software. After manufactured in the lab, the hardware prototype was tested to verify the modulation algorithms to form the output voltage, the balancing algorithm to equalize the sub-module capacitor voltage, and the redundancy operation algorithm to improve the system reliability. The developed hardware prototype can be utilized for analyzing the basic operation and performance improvement of MMC according to the modulation and redundancy operation scheme. It also can be utilize to analyze the basic operational characteristics of HVDC system based on MMC.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1706-1715
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• 2016

In this paper, a single phase modified switched-diode topology for both symmetrical and asymmetrical cascaded multilevel inverters is presented. It consists of a Modified Switched-Diode Unit (MSDU) and a Twin Source Two Switch Unit (TSTSU) to produce distinct positive voltage levels according to the operating modes. An additional H-bridge synthesizes a voltage waveform, where the voltage levels of either polarity have less Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). Higher-level inverters can be built by cascading MSDUs. A comparative analysis is done with other topologies. The proposed topology results in reductions in the number of power switches, losses, installation area, voltage stress and converter cost. The Nearest Level Control (NLC) technique is employed to generate the gating signals for the power switches. To verify the performance of the proposed structure, simulation results are carried out by a PSIM under both steady state and dynamic conditions. Experimental results are presented to validate the simulation results.