• 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 Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.921-930
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• 2016

This paper proposes a design and control method for a high-voltage direction current modular multilevel converter (HVDC-MMC) considering the capacitor voltage ripple of the submodule (SM). The capacitor voltage ripple consists of the line frequency and double-line-frequency components. The double line- frequency component does not fluctuate according to the active power, whereas the line-frequency component is highly influenced by the grid-side voltage and current. If the grid voltage drops, a conventional converter increases the current to maintain the active power. A grid voltage drops, current increment, or both occur with a capacitor voltage ripple higher than the limit value. In order to reliably control an MMC within a limit value, the SM capacitor should be designed on the basis of the capacitor voltage ripple. In this paper, the capacitor voltage ripple according to the grid voltage and current are analyzed, and the proposed control method includes a current limitation method considering the capacitor voltage ripple. The proposed design and control method are verified through simulation using PSCAD/EMTDC.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2013.07a
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• pp.540-541
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• 2013

본 논문에서는 PSCAD/EMTDC를 이용하여 MMC(Modular Multi-level Converter)를 기반으로 한 HVDC 시스템 시뮬레이션 모델을 개발하였다. 스위칭 레벨의 동작을 분석하기 위해 각 ARM당 10개의 SM(Sub-Module)과 2개의 RM(Redundancy-Module)을 구성하여 11-level의 MMC 출력 전압을 형성하였다. SM 동작시 발생하는 전압 불균등 문제를 해결하기 위하여 밸런싱 알고리즘을 적용하였으며, SM의 출력 전압에 발생하는 Ripple을 고려하여 Capacitor의 용량을 설계하고 이를 검증하였다. 또한 시뮬레이션을 이용하여 HVDC 성능 분석과 MMC의 성능개선을 위한 순환전류 알고리즘 및 Redundancy 투입 알고리즘을 구현하고 그 결과를 확인하였다.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2012.07a
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• pp.351-352
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• 2012

본 논문에서는 최근 직류송전용 컨버터로 많은 관심이 집중되고 있는 MMC(Modular Multi-level Converter)에 대해서 소개하고 있다. 대용량 전압원 컨버터로 MMC가 적합한 이유에 대해서 설명하고, MMC의 동작원리, SM(Sub-Module) dc capacitor voltage balancing 기술, 전체 제어 시스템에 대해 자세하게 설명하고 있다. 제안하는 MMC는 Staircase Modulation 방식으로 사인파형에 가까운 출력전압을 형성하고, Sorting 알고리즘을 구현하여 개별 SM의 커패시터 전압이 균등하게 일정 값을 유지하도록 하였다. 제안하는 MMC의 성능평가를 위하여 PSCAD/EMTDC 프로그램을 이용하여 3상 11-level MMC를 모의하였다.

• 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.