Multilevel inverter technology has emerged recently as a very important alternative in the area of high-power medium-voltage energy control. This paper presents the most important topologies like diode-clamped inverter (neutral-point clamped), capacitor-clamped (flying capacitor), and cascaded multicell with separate DC sources. Emerging topologies like asymmetric hybrid cells and soft-switched multilevel inverters are also discussed. This paper also presents the most relevant control and modulation methods developed for this family of converters: multilevel sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation, multilevel selective harmonic elimination, and space-vector modulation. Special attention is dedicated to the latest and more relevant applications of these converters such as laminators, conveyor belts, and unified power-flow controllers. The need of an active front end at the input side for those inverters supplying regenerative loads is also discussed, and the circuit topology options are also presented. Finally, the peripherally developing areas such as high-voltage high-power devices and optical sensors and other opportunities for future development are addressed.

Multilevel inverters: a survey of topologies, controls, and applications

Multilevel converters have been under research and development for more than three decades and have found successful industrial application. However, this is still a technology under development, and many new contributions and new commercial topologies have been reported in the last few years. The aim of this paper is to group and review these recent contributions, in order to establish the current state of the art and trends of the technology, to provide readers with a comprehensive and insightful review of where multilevel converter technology stands and is heading. This paper first presents a brief overview of well-established multilevel converters strongly oriented to their current state in industrial applications to then center the discussion on the new converters that have made their way into the industry. In addition, new promising topologies are discussed. Recent advances made in modulation and control of multilevel converters are also addressed. A great part of this paper is devoted to show nontraditional applications powered by multilevel converters and how multilevel converters are becoming an enabling technology in many industrial sectors. Finally, some future trends and challenges in the further development of this technology are discussed to motivate future contributions that address open problems and explore new possibilities.

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Recent Advances and Industrial Applications of Multilevel Converters

This paper presents a new multilevel converter topology suitable for very high voltage applications, especially network interties in power generation and transmission. The fundamental concept and the applied control scheme is introduced. Simulation results of a 36 MW-network intertie illustrate the efficient operating characteristics. A suitable structure of the converter-control is proposed.

An innovative modular multilevel converter topology suitable for a wide power range

This paper presents a technology review of voltage-source-converter topologies for industrial medium-voltage drives. In this highly active area, different converter topologies and circuits have found their application in the market. This paper covers the high-power voltage-source inverter and the most used multilevel-inverter topologies, including the neutral-point-clamped, cascaded H-bridge, and flying-capacitor converters. This paper presents the operating principle of each topology and a review of the most relevant modulation methods, focused mainly on those used by industry. In addition, the latest advances and future trends of the technology are discussed. It is concluded that the topology and modulation-method selection are closely related to each particular application, leaving a space on the market for all the different solutions, depending on their unique features and limitations like power or voltage level, dynamic performance, reliability, costs, and other technical specifications.

Multilevel Voltage-Source-Converter Topologies for Industrial Medium-Voltage Drives

This work is devoted to review and analyze the most relevant characteristics of multilevel converters, to motivate possible solutions, and to show that we are in a decisive instant in which energy companies have to bet on these converters as a good solution compared with classic two-level converters. This article presents a brief overview of the actual applications of multilevel converters and provides an introduction of the modeling techniques and the most common modulation strategies. It also addresses the operational and technological issues.

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The age of multilevel converters arrives

This paper explores the fundamental limitations of the neutral-point voltage balancing problem for different loading conditions of three-level voltage source inverters. A new model in the DQ coordinate frame utilizing current switching functions is developed as a means to investigate theoretical limitations and to offer a more intuitive insight into the problem. The low-frequency ripple of the neutral point caused by certain loading conditions is reported and quantified.

A comprehensive study of neutral-point voltage balancing problem in three-level neutral-point-clamped voltage source PWM inverters

This paper introduces a general space vector modulation algorithm for n-level three-phase power converters. This algorithm is computationally extremely efficient and is independent of the number of levels of the power converter. At the same time, it provides excellent insight into the operation of multilevel power converters.

A fast space vector modulation algorithm for multilevel three-phase converters

A nonlinear lumped-parameter model of a piezoelectric stack actuator has been developed to describe actuator behavior for purposes of control system analysis and design, and, in particular, for microrobotic applications requiring accurate position and/or force control. In formulating this model, the authors propose a generalized Maxwell resistive capacitor as a lumped-parameter causal representation of rate-independent hysteresis. Model formulation is validated by comparing results of numerical simulations to experimental data. Validation is followed by a discussion of model implications for purposes of actuator control.

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Modeling piezoelectric stack actuators for control of micromanipulation

This paper proposes a multilevel power conversion concept based on the combination of neutral-point-clamped (NPC) and floating capacitor converters In the proposed scheme, the voltage balancing across the floating capacitors is achieved by using a proper selection of redundant switching states, and the neutral-point voltage is controlled by the classical dc offset injection Experimental results are illustrated in the paper to demonstrate the system operation

Active-neutral-point-clamped (ANPC) multilevel converter technology

This paper proposes a multilevel power conversion concept based on the combination of neutral-point-clamped (NPC) and floating capacitor converters. In the proposed scheme, the voltage balancing across the floating capacitors is achieved by using a proper selection of redundant switching states, and the neutral-point voltage is controlled by the classical dc offset injection. Experimental results are illustrated in the paper to demonstrate the system operation

Nikola Celanovic

Papers

A comprehensive study of neutral-point voltage balancing problem in three-level neutral-point-clamped voltage source PWM inverters

A fast space vector modulation algorithm for multilevel three-phase converters

Modeling piezoelectric stack actuators for control of micromanipulation

Active-neutral-point-clamped (ANPC) multilevel converter technology

Active Neutral-Point-Clamped Multilevel Converters