Abstract
This article presents a sub-module topology for switched DC source cascaded multilevel inverter configurations that require fewer switching devices and can generate a high number of voltage levels that are suitable for renewable energy sources. The proposed sub-module topology comprises eight semiconductor switches and four DC voltage sources that generate fifteen voltage levels. Furthermore, the cascaded topology is presented to increase the output voltage levels and to minimize the number of components. The proposed sub-module inverter and its cascaded topology are compared with several multilevel inverters to indicate the advantages and drawbacks of the proposal. The comparison studies show that the proposed topologies require fewer switching devices and gate drivers in comparison with other multilevel inverter topologies. In addition, the proposed cascaded topology reduces the cost of the inverter when compared to other multilevel inverter configurations. Furthermore, the power loss calculations and the implementation of the proposed topology in grid-connected photovoltaic applications are simulated and analyzed. Finally, the performance of the proposal is verified by simulation and experimental results for both symmetric and asymmetric sub-module topologies as well as for the proposed cascaded topology.
Highlights
M ULTI-LEVEL inverter (MLI) technology is developing quickly due to several advantages over conventional two-level inverters
The PV sources are connect to the proposed topology through four independent DC-DC boost converters which are controlled by the P&O maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm
In this article, a reduced sub-module topology was proposed for cascaded multilevel power inverters with reduced switching devices to be applied to renewable energy sources
Summary
M ULTI-LEVEL inverter (MLI) technology is developing quickly due to several advantages over conventional two-level inverters. These topologies are capable of generating low voltage total harmonic distortion (THD) by increasing the number of voltage levels. MLI topologies reduce the voltage rating of power switches by sharing the DC link voltage on power switches, and they can operate at low switching frequencies for a given output waveform quality. The basic operation principles of MLIs can be found in the neutral point clamped (NPC), flying capacitor (FC), and cascaded H-bridge (CHB) configurations [5]–[7]. The cascaded MLI configurations in the literature have been presented in three categories: switched DC source multilevel inverters (SDC-MLIs), switched-diode multilevel inverters (SD-MLIs), and switched capacitor multilevel inverters (SC-MLIs). The focus is on the presented topologies of SDC-MLIs, in which the weaknesses and strengths are discussed in the following
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