Medium-Voltage Multilevel Converters—State of the Art, Challenges, and Requirements in Industrial Applications
TL;DR: An inverter configuration based on three-level building blocks to generate five-level voltage waveforms is suggested and it is shown that such an inverter may be operated at a very low switching frequency to achieve minimum on-state and dynamic device losses for highly efficient MV drive applications while maintaining low harmonic distortion.
Abstract: This paper gives an overview of medium-voltage (MV) multilevel converters with a focus on achieving minimum harmonic distortion and high efficiency at low switching frequency operation. Increasing the power rating by minimizing switching frequency while still maintaining reasonable power quality is an important requirement and a persistent challenge for the industry. Existing solutions are discussed and analyzed based on their topologies, limitations, and control techniques. As a preferred option for future research and application, an inverter configuration based on three-level building blocks to generate five-level voltage waveforms is suggested. This paper shows that such an inverter may be operated at a very low switching frequency to achieve minimum on-state and dynamic device losses for highly efficient MV drive applications while maintaining low harmonic distortion.
Citations
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TL;DR: A new topology for cascaded multilevel converter based on submultileVEL converter units and full-bridge converters is proposed, optimized for various objectives, such as the minimization of the number of switches, gate driver circuits and capacitors, and blocking voltage on switches.
Abstract: In this paper, a new topology for cascaded multilevel converter based on submultilevel converter units and full-bridge converters is proposed. The proposed topology significantly reduces the number of dc voltage sources, switches, IGBTs, and power diodes as the number of output voltage levels increases. Also, an algorithm to determine dc voltage sources magnitudes is proposed. To synthesize maximum levels at the output voltage, the proposed topology is optimized for various objectives, such as the minimization of the number of switches, gate driver circuits and capacitors, and blocking voltage on switches. The analytical analyses of the power losses of the proposed converter are also presented. The operation and performance of the proposed multilevel converter have been evaluated with the experimental results of a single-phase 125-level prototype converter.
471 citations
TL;DR: The development of MMC circuit topologies and their mathematical models over the years are presented and the evolution and technical challenges of the classical and model predictive control methods are discussed.
Abstract: Modular multilevel converter (MMC) is one of the most promising topologies for medium to high-voltage high-power applications. The main features of MMC are modularity, voltage and power scalability, fault tolerant and transformer-less operation, and high-quality output waveforms. Over the past few years, several research studies are conducted to address the technical challenges associated with the operation and control of the MMC. This paper presents the development of MMC circuit topologies and their mathematical models over the years. Also, the evolution and technical challenges of the classical and model predictive control methods are discussed. Finally, the MMC applications and their future trends are presented.
404 citations
TL;DR: A systematic method is proposed to obtain the highest stability and avoidance of closed-loop anomalous peaks: it is achieved by the minimization of the inverse of the Nyquist trajectory distance to the critical point, i.e., the sensitivity function.
Abstract: The following two types of resonant controllers are mainly employed to obtain high performance in voltage-source converters: 1) proportional + resonant (PR) and 2) vector proportional + integral (VPI). The analysis and design of PR controllers is usually performed by Bode diagrams and phase-margin criterion. However, this approach presents some limitations when resonant frequencies are higher than the crossover frequency defined by the proportional gain. This condition occurs in selective harmonic control and applications with high reference frequency with respect to the switching frequency, e.g., high-power converters with a low switching frequency. In such cases, additional 0-dB crossings (phase margins) appear; therefore, the usual methods for simple systems are no longer valid. In addition, VPI controllers always present multiple 0-dB crossings in their frequency response. In this paper, the proximity to the instability of PR and VPI controllers is evaluated and optimized through Nyquist diagrams. A systematic method is proposed to obtain the highest stability and avoidance of closed-loop anomalous peaks: it is achieved by the minimization of the inverse of the Nyquist trajectory distance to the critical point, i.e., the sensitivity function. Finally, several experimental tests, including an active power filter that operates at a low switching frequency and compensates harmonics up to the Nyquist frequency, validate the theoretical approach.
343 citations
TL;DR: Five main submodules (SMs) to be used as the basic structures of MLIs are presented and categorized and investigated with from different perspectives such as the number of components, the ability to create inherent negative voltage, working in regeneration mode and using single dc source.
Abstract: Multilevel inverters (MLIs) are being used in wide range of power electronic applications. These converters have attracted a lot of attention during recent years and exist in different topologies with similar basic concepts. This paper presents five main submodules (SMs) to be used as the basic structures of MLIs. The paper reviews the common MLI topologies from the structural point of view. The topologies are divided into the different SMs to show conventional MLI configurations and future topologies that can be created from the main SMs. A comparative study between different topologies is performed in detail. The MLIs are categorized and investigated with from different perspectives such as the number of components, the ability to create inherent negative voltage, working in regeneration mode and using single dc source.
298 citations
Cites background from "Medium-Voltage Multilevel Converter..."
...and more complexity on the overall system design [67]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, a dc/ac/dc system using a transformer coupling two modular multilevel VSCs is presented, where the capacitors occupy a large fraction of the volume of the cells but a significant reduction in volume can be achieved by raising the ac frequency.
Abstract: Voltage ratings for HVdc point-to-point connections are not standardized and tend to depend on the latest available cable technology. DC/DC conversion at HV is required for interconnection of such HVdc schemes as well as to interface dc wind farms. Modular multilevel voltage source converters (VSCs), such as the modular multilevel converter (MMC) or the alternate arm converter (AAC), have been shown to incur significantly lower switching losses than previous two- or three-level VSCs. This paper presents a dc/ac/dc system using a transformer coupling two modular multilevel VSCs. In such a system, the capacitors occupy a large fraction of the volume of the cells but a significant reduction in volume can be achieved by raising the ac frequency. Using high frequency can also bring benefits to other passive components such as the transformer but also results in higher switching losses due to the higher number of waveform steps per second. This leads to a tradeoff between volume and losses which has been explored in this study and verified by simulation results with a transistor level model of 30-MW case study. The outcome of the study shows that a frequency of 350 Hz provides a significant improvement in volume but also a penalty in losses compared to 50 Hz.
272 citations
Additional excerpts
...The valve in the conducting arm is thus responsible for generating the ac waveform....
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References
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TL;DR: The most important topologies like diode-clamped inverter (neutral-point clamped), capacitor-Clamped (flying capacitor), and cascaded multicell with separate DC sources are presented and the circuit topology options are presented.
Abstract: 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.
6,472 citations
"Medium-Voltage Multilevel Converter..." refers background or methods in this paper
...It is possible that the solution makes it possible for active damping of system oscillations or transients in addition to the regenerative capability....
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...As the switching losses of MV semiconductor devices make up a major portion of the device losses, their reduction allows the maximum output power to be increased....
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...A simple way to establish a series connection of power devices without derating is with the 3L inverter topology [2], [21], [22]....
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...Recently, the use of ML configurations has become more prevalent in the active rectifier field [19], [29], [121]....
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01 Jan 1980
TL;DR: In this article, a neutral-point-clamped PWM inverter composed of main switching devices which operate as switches for PWM and auxiliary switching devices to clamp the output terminal potential to the neutral point potential has been developed.
Abstract: A new neutral-point-clamped pulsewidth modulation (PWM) inverter composed of main switching devices which operate as switches for PWM and auxiliary switching devices to clamp the output terminal potential to the neutral point potential has been developed. This inverter output contains less harmonic content as compared with that of a conventional type. Two inverters are compared analytically and experimentally. In addition, a new PWM technique suitable for an ac drive system is applied to this inverter. The neutral-point-clamped PWM inverter adopting the new PWM technique shows an excellent drive system efficiency, including motor efficiency, and is appropriate for a wide-range variable-speed drive system.
4,432 citations
TL;DR: The neutral-point-clamped PWM inverter adopting the new PWM technique shows an excellent drive system efficiency, including motor efficiency, and is appropriate for a wide-range variable-speed drive system.
Abstract: A new neutral-point-clamped pulsewidth modulation (PWM) inverter composed of main switching devices which operate as switches for PWM and auxiliary switching devices to clamp the output terminal potential to the neutral point potential has been developed. This inverter output contains less harmonic content as compared with that of a conventional type. Two inverters are compared analytically and experimentally. In addition, a new PWM technique suitable for an ac drive system is applied to this inverter. The neutral-point-clamped PWM inverter adopting the new PWM technique shows an excellent drive system efficiency, including motor efficiency, and is appropriate for a wide-range variable-speed drive system.
4,328 citations
"Medium-Voltage Multilevel Converter..." refers background in this paper
...Recently, the use of ML configurations has become more prevalent in the active rectifier field [19], [29], [121]....
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...Only 3% of the currently installed MV motors are controlled by variable-speed drives [1]....
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08 Oct 1995
TL;DR: This paper presents three multilevel voltage source converters: (1) diode-clamp, (2) flying-capacitors, and (3) cascaded-inverters with separate DC sources.
Abstract: Multilevel voltage source converters are emerging as a new breed of power converter options for high-power applications. The multilevel voltage source converters typically synthesize the staircase voltage wave from several levels of DC capacitor voltages. One of the major limitations of the multilevel converters is the voltage unbalance between different levels. The techniques to balance the voltage between different levels normally involve voltage clamping or capacitor charge control. There are several ways of implementing voltage balance in multilevel converters. Without considering the traditional magnetic coupled converters, this paper presents three recently developed multilevel voltage source converters: (1) diode-clamp, (2) flying-capacitors, and (3) cascaded-inverters with separate DC sources. The operating principle, features, constraints, and potential applications of these converters are discussed.
3,232 citations
"Medium-Voltage Multilevel Converter..." refers background or methods in this paper
...Recently, the use of ML configurations has become more prevalent in the active rectifier field [19], [29], [121]....
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...A simple way to establish a series connection of power devices without derating is with the 3L inverter topology [2], [21], [22]....
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...They have been investigated for other applications such as utility interface for renewable energy systems [63], [138]–[141], high-voltage dc transmission [45], flexible ac transmission system [46], electric traction systems, active power filtering [10], [45], unified power flow controllers,…...
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...The features include good power quality, low switching losses, high voltage capability, and low dV/dt [25]–[28]....
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...Nowadays, researchers are striving to improve MLC performances by using the following techniques [6], [23], [69]: 1) control simplification [87], [88] and optimization algorithms to enhance the total harmonic distortion (THD) performance [82], [83]; 2) balancing of the dc capacitor voltage [133],…...
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TL;DR: 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.
Abstract: 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.
2,254 citations
"Medium-Voltage Multilevel Converter..." refers background in this paper
...New highly efficient power electronic technologies and proper control strategies are therefore needed to reduce energy waste and to improve power quality....
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