Multilevel inverters: a survey of topologies, controls, and applications
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.
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TL;DR: New trends in power electronics for the integration of wind and photovoltaic (PV) power generators are presented and a review of the appropriate storage-system technology used for the Integration of intermittent renewable energy sources is introduced.
Abstract: The use of distributed energy resources is increasingly being pursued as a supplement and an alternative to large conventional central power stations. The specification of a power-electronic interface is subject to requirements related not only to the renewable energy source itself but also to its effects on the power-system operation, especially where the intermittent energy source constitutes a significant part of the total system capacity. In this paper, new trends in power electronics for the integration of wind and photovoltaic (PV) power generators are presented. A review of the appropriate storage-system technology used for the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources is also introduced. Discussions about common and future trends in renewable energy systems based on reliability and maturity of each technology are presented
3,799 citations
Cites background from "Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..."
...Sometimes they are a multiple of 50 Hz, and sometimes they are not....
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TL;DR: 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.
Abstract: 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.
3,415 citations
Cites background from "Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..."
...of electronic power conversion for high power applications [1]–[10]....
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23 Jun 2003
TL;DR: In this article, a new multilevel converter topology suitable for very high voltage applications, especially network interties in power generation and transmission, is presented, and a suitable structure of the converter-control is proposed.
Abstract: 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.
2,806 citations
Cites background from "Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..."
...For this application field multilevel converters with a high number of voltage levels seem to be the most suitable types, because of the need for series connection of semiconductors in combination with low voltage distortion on the line side [1]-[3]....
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...Finally, due to the expression of the reference vector by the determined surrounding vectors, the correspondent dwelling times have to be calculated [3]-[6]....
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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
Cites background or methods from "Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..."
...Although ML-VSIs were originally developed to reach higher voltage operation, before being restricted by semiconductor limits, the extra switches and sources (provided by multiple dc-link capacitors) could be used to generate different output-voltage levels, enabling the generation of a stepped waveform with less harmonic distortion, reducing dv/dt’s and common-mode voltages, and enabling operation under fault conditions and converter modularity [21]....
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...Multilevel-converter technology has experienced a fast growing attention in the last decade, and several topologies have been reported [21]....
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TL;DR: A survey of different topologies, control strategies and modulation techniques used by cascaded multilevel inverters in the medium-voltage inverter market is presented.
Abstract: Cascaded multilevel inverters synthesize a medium-voltage output based on a series connection of power cells which use standard low-voltage component configurations. This characteristic allows one to achieve high-quality output voltages and input currents and also outstanding availability due to their intrinsic component redundancy. Due to these features, the cascaded multilevel inverter has been recognized as an important alternative in the medium-voltage inverter market. This paper presents a survey of different topologies, control strategies and modulation techniques used by these inverters. Regenerative and advanced topologies are also discussed. Applications where the mentioned features play a key role are shown. Finally, future developments are addressed.
2,111 citations
Cites background from "Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..."
...MULTILEVEL voltage-source inverters provide a costeffective solution in the medium-voltage energy management market [1]....
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References
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08 Oct 1995
TL;DR: A new multilevel voltage-source inverter with separate DC sources is proposed for high-voltage, high power applications, such as flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) including static VAr generation (SVG), power line conditioning, series compensation, phase shifting, voltage balancing, fuel cell and photovoltaic utility systems interfacing, etc.
Abstract: A new multilevel voltage-source inverter with separate DC sources is proposed for high-voltage, high-power applications, such as flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) including static VAr generation (SVG), power-line conditioning, series compensation, phase shifting, voltage balancing, fuel cell, and photovoltaic utility systems interfacing, etc. The new M-level inverter consists of (M-1)/2 single-phase full bridges in which each bridge has its own separate DC source. This inverter can generate almost sinusoidal waveform voltage with only one time switching per cycle as the number of levels increases. It can solve the size-and-weight problems of conventional transformer-based multipulse inverters and the component-counts problems of multilevel diode-clamp and flying-capacitor inverters. To demonstrate the superiority of the new inverter, an SVG system using the new inverter topology is discussed through analysis, simulation, and experiment.
1,024 citations
"Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..." refers background in this paper
...isolated dc sources can be omitted [56]....
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...Reference [56] suggested that the voltage unbalance problem could be solved by using a back-to-back rectifier/inverter system and proper voltage balancing control....
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TL;DR: In this article, a new approach to medium-voltage variable-frequency static AC motor drives was proposed to improve the power quality of the motor by improving motor voltage and current waveforms.
Abstract: A new approach to medium-voltage variable-frequency static AC motor drives offers improvements in power quality. Harmonic current injection into the power lines is below the most severe requirements of IEEE Standard 519-1992. The power factor of this new type of drive exceeds 94% at full load and is above 90% at 10% load. Motor voltage and current waveforms are improved so that torque pulsations are reduced. Peak voltage stress on motor insulation does not exceed peak input line voltage, and no zero sequence voltage is imposed. Drive efficiency exceeds 96%. This paper describes the new approach and some of the results achieved.
841 citations
"Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..." refers background or methods in this paper
...13(b), to increase the output voltage [7],...
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...A very popular method in industrial applications is the classic carrier-based sinusoidal PWM (SPWM) that uses the phase-shifting technique to reduce the harmonics in the load voltage [7], [38], [39]....
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...itor-clamped (flying capacitors) [1], [5], [6]; and cascaded multicell with separate dc sources [1], [7]–[9]....
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...A different converter topology is introduced here, which is based on the series connection of single-phase inverters with separate dc sources [7]....
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...for different motor voltages, as reported by one manufacturer [7]....
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03 Oct 1999
TL;DR: This paper introduces a general space vector modulation algorithm for n-level three-phase power converters that is computationally extremely efficient and is independent of the number of levels of the power converter.
Abstract: 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.
800 citations
"Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..." refers methods in this paper
...Another interesting alternative is the SVM strategy, which has been used in three-level inverters [36]....
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03 Oct 1999
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated a hybrid multilevel power conversion system for high performance, high power applications, which consists of a hybrid seven-level inverter, a diode bridge rectifier and an IGBT rectifier per phase.
Abstract: Use of multilevel inverters is becoming popular in recent years for high power applications. Various topologies and modulation strategies have been investigated for utility and drive applications in literature. Trends in power semiconductor technology indicate a trade-off in the selection of power devices in terms of switching frequency and voltage sustaining capability. New power converter topologies permit modular realization of multilevel inverters using a hybrid approach involving integrated gate commutated thyristors (IGCT) and insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) operating in synergism. This paper is devoted to the investigation of a hybrid multilevel power conversion system typically suitable for high performance, high power applications. This system designed for 4.16 kV, /spl ges/100 hp load comprises of a hybrid seven-level inverter, a diode bridge rectifier and an IGBT rectifier per phase. The IGBT rectifier is used on the utility side as a real power flow regulator to the low voltage converter and as a harmonic compensator for the high voltage converter. The hybrid seven-level inverter on the load side consists of a high voltage, slow switching IGCT inverter and a low voltage, fast switching IGBT inverter. By employing different devices under different operating conditions, it is shown that one can optimize the power conversion capability of entire system. A detailed analysis of a novel hybrid modulation technique for the inverter, which incorporates stepped synthesis in conjunction with variable pulse width of the consecutive steps is included. In addition, performance of a multilevel current regulated delta modulator as applied to the single phase full bridge IGBT rectifier is discussed. Detailed computer simulations accompanied with experimental verification are presented in the paper.
712 citations
08 Oct 2000
TL;DR: This paper presents a generalized multilevel inverter (converter) topology with self voltage balancing that provides a true multileVEL structure that can balance each DC voltage level automatically without any assistance from other circuits, thus in principle providing a complete and trueMultilevel topology that embraces the existing multilesvel inverters.
Abstract: Multilevel power converters that provide more than two levels of voltage to achieve smoother and less distorted AC-to-DC, DC-to-AC, and DC-to-DC power conversion, have attracted many contributors. This paper presents a generalized multilevel inverter (converter) topology with self voltage balancing. The existing multilevel inverters such as diode-clamped and capacitor-clamped multilevel inverters can be derived from the generalized inverter topology. Moreover, the generalized multilevel inverter topology provides a true multilevel structure that can balance each DC voltage level automatically without any assistance from other circuits, thus, in principle, providing a complete and true multilevel topology that embraces the existing multilevel inverters. From this generalized multilevel inverter topology, several new multilevel inverter structures can be derived. Some application examples of the generalized multilevel converter are given.
621 citations
"Multilevel inverters: a survey of t..." refers background in this paper
...From this generalized multilevel inverter topology, several new multilevel inverter structures can be derived [ 19 ]....
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...A generalized multilevel inverter topology has previously been presented [ 19 ]....
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