Abstract
In recent years, multilevel inverters (MLIs) have emerged to be the most empowered power transformation technology for numerous operations such as renewable energy resources (RERs), flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS), electric motor drives, etc. MLI has gained popularity in medium- to high-power operations because of numerous merits such as minimum harmonic contents, less dissipation of power from power electronic switches, and less electromagnetic interference (EMI) at the receiving end. The MLI possesses many essential advantages in comparison to a conventional two-level inverter, such as voltage profile enhancement, increased efficiency of the overall system, the capability of high-quality output generation with the reduced switching frequency, decreased total harmonic distortions (THD) without reducing the power of the inverter and use of very low ratings of the device. Although classical MLIs find their use in various vital key areas, newer MLI configurations have an expanding concern to the limited count of power electronic devices, gate drivers, and isolated DC sources. In this review article, an attempt has been made to focus on various aspects of MLIs such as different configurations, modulation techniques, the concept of new reduced switch count MLI topologies, applications regarding interface with renewable energy, motor drives, and FACTS controller. Further, deep insights for future prospective towards hassle-free addition of MLI technology towards more enhanced application for various fields of the power system have also been discussed. This article is believed to be extremely helpful for academics, researchers, and industrialists working in the direction of MLI technology.
Highlights
They have been innovated as an competent solution for wide range of power applications such as RER [1,2,3,4,5,6], flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) [7,8,9,10], high-voltage direct current (HVDC) [11,12,13,14], static compensators (STATCOMs) [15,16,17,18], unified power flow controllers (UPFCs) [19,20,21], dynamic voltage restorers (DVRs) [22,23], active filters (AFs) [24,25], motor drives used for traction/transportation [26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33], marine propulsion [34,35,36,37,38], conveyors [39,40], mine hoists [41], magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI) [42] and induction heating power supply [43]
This comprehensive article is alleged to serve as a good guidance for enhancing the understanding of readers, academics, and industrialists for researching in the area of multilevel inverters (MLIs) concerning the proper choice of topology for definite application, accurate selection of parameters, switching, control schemes, and application in other power system fields
The upgradation and advancement of different industries and academic research globally have led to an increased demand for high energy-based efficient converters
Summary
This article elaborately discusses the issues faced by the present MLI technology and suggests some more in-depth vital points to be adopted in the future for further better application in the electric power grid network. This comprehensive article is alleged to serve as a good guidance for enhancing the understanding of readers, academics, and industrialists for researching in the area of MLI concerning the proper choice of topology for definite application, accurate selection of parameters, switching, control schemes, and application in other power system fields.
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