A simple modular active power electronic transformer

Abstract

The current project was originally initiated by the marine industry, where bulky low-frequency transformers have become a growing problem. The need for an alternative that is more flexible and would also support the micro grid concept has become a priority. The active power electronic transformer (APET) is likely to be the most suitable candidate for that. In the complex power electronic systems modularity is one of the key factors to success. Modular power electronic building blocks (PEBB) enable complex power electronics systems to be built and reconfigured quickly and reliably by just connecting several PEBBs together, without considering the physical realization inside the PEBB. As a result, reduced costs, losses, weight, size and less engineering effort could be achieved. In this paper a new type of the PEBB for the APET is proposed. The performance of the system was verified by computer simulations using PSIM simulation software. Finally, a 3D model of the demonstrator is presented.