Abstract
In this paper, a new single-phase hybrid multilevel inverter (MLI) is proposed. Compared to other existing MLI topologies, the proposed circuit is capable of producing a higher number of output voltage levels using fewer power switches and dc sources. The levels are synthesized by switching the dc voltage sources in series/parallel combinations. An auxiliary circuit is introduced to double the number of levels by creating an intermediate step in between two levels. In addition, a zero level is introduced to overcome the inherent absence of this level in the original circuit. To improve the total harmonic distortion, a hybrid modulation technique is utilized. The operation and performance of the circuit are analyzed and confirmed using MATLAB/Simulink simulation. To validate the workability of the proposed idea, a 300 W, a thirteen level MLI (including the zero level) is designed and constructed. The circuit is tested with a no-load, resistive load and resistive-inductive load. The experimental results match very closely with the simulation and mathematical analysis.
Highlights
The growing demand for electrical energy along with the environmental concerns has increased the prospects of renewable energy (RE) resources
The conventional two-level inverter is inadequate for high voltage/power applications due to several drawbacks, which include high voltage rating of power semiconductor devices and high amount of total harmonic distortion (THD)
Three dc sources are used in Level Generation Module (LGM) (i.e., k = 2); the voltage of each dc source is set to 30 V
Summary
The growing demand for electrical energy along with the environmental concerns has increased the prospects of renewable energy (RE) resources. These RE resources, solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave and fuel cells, require a power electronics converter to be compatible with different applications. A multilevel inverter (MLI) appears to be a better option as it can synthesize higher output voltage waveform using much lower rated switches. With a higher number of levels, the output voltage waveform comes close to the sinusoidal waveform, improving its THD. MLI offers some additional advantages such as lower voltage stress across switches, improved efficiency, reduced dv/dt stress, and lower electromagnetic interference [1,2,3,4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
