High-voltage Valve Research Articles

A hybrid DC-DC modular multilevel converter with capacitors parallel connectivity for arm energy balancing

The integration of renewable energy sources in Medium-/High-voltage DC grids has called up continuous research to develop DC-DC conversion systems. This paper presents a hybrid modular multilevel DC-DC converter topology which successfully overcomes the issue of capacitors voltage imbalance during DC-DC conversion. In the proposed topology, single MMC leg is employed with half-bridge submodules in the upper arm and full-bridge submodules in the lower arm along with soft-switched high-voltage valves. The proposed hybrid modular multilevel converter has inherited arm energy equalization with the help of the parallel connectivity of involved arms’ capacitors. During the equalization period, the series-connected upper arm capacitors are connected in parallel to the series-connected lower arm capacitors to transfer the energy between the involved arms which results in operating with balanced capacitors voltages. The proposed modular DC-DC converter is a bidirectional converter which allows power flow from high-voltage side to low-voltage side and vice versa, i.e., it can be operated successfully as a DC transformer. The operational concept of the proposed configuration, control strategy, and parameters design are presented. Simulation results are presented along with experimental results of a scaled-down prototype to validate the proposed approach. Simulation and experimental results show the viability of the suggested approach.

A hybrid half‐bridge submodule‐based DC–DC modular multilevel converter with a single bidirectional high‐voltage valve

AbstractModular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) are promising candidates for high‐voltage high‐power applications. The main challenge of the MMCs is the zero‐frequency operation. To achieve a successful DC–DC conversion process with balanced capacitors’ voltages with limited voltage ripple, this paper suggests the employment of the conventional two‐leg half‐bridge submodule‐based MMC structure in conjunction with a single bidirectional high‐voltage (HV) valve across the low‐voltage side. In the suggested structure, the HV valve is controlled on and off to ensure energy equalization for the MMC arms. In addition, soft‐switching for the HV valve is proposed to reduce the switching losses. Detailed illustration and design of the proposed concept are presented. Simulation and experimentation results are elucidated to show the effectiveness of the proposed DC–DC hybrid MMC. The results showed efficient performance of the suggested converter.

HVDC shunt tap based on three single‐phase half‐bridge series‐connected MMCs operated under 2L modulation

In this study, a cost-effective HVDC shunt tap with low-number of relatively low-voltage semiconductor devices and small-sized passive components is proposed. The proposed architecture is based on employing three single-phase half-bridge Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs), where the DC sides of MMCs are connected in series across the total DC-link voltage. The MMCs are adopted instead of conventional Two-Level Voltage Source Converters (2L-VSCs) to avoid the complications of series connection of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs). The involved MMCs in the suggested architecture are operated with the conventional 2L modulation, which results in insignificant arm inductors and Sub-Modules (SMs) capacitances (in range of µH and µF, respectively). This, in turn, affects positively the converter cost and footprint. Each arm of the involved MMCs can be considered as a high-voltage valve of a 2L-VSC. To maintain the balance of SMs capacitors, each arm of the involved (N + 1)-level MMC has an extra SM (a balancing SM) to select N out of N + 1 SMs during the turn-off condition. The operational concept, design, and assessment of the proposed architecture are presented in this study. Simulation results are provided for substantiation of the proposed concept. Finally, a scaled down single-phase prototype is used for experimental validation.

A Non-Isolated Hybrid-Modular DC-DC Converter for DC Grids: Small-Signal Modeling and Control

This paper presents small-signal modeling, stability analysis, and controller design of a non-isolated bidirectional hybrid-modular DC-DC Converter for DC grid applications. The DC-DC converter can be used to interconnect two different DC voltage levels in a medium-/high-voltage DC grid. Half-bridge Sub-Modules (SMs) and a high-voltage valve are the main components of the converter. The high-voltage valve can be implemented via employing series-connected Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs). Operation with zero voltage switching of the involved high-voltage valve is feasible, i.e., there is no concern pertinent to dynamic voltage sharing among the series-connected IGBTs. The power is transferred from one side to another through the involved SMs, where their capacitors are connected in series across the high-voltage side, while they are connected sequentially across the low-voltage side. In this paper, the state-space averaging technique is employed to derive the small-signal model of the presented converter for controller design. Closed-form expression of the duty cycle-to-inductor current transfer function is extracted. Comparison between simulation results of the small-signal model and the detailed circuit model is presented to authenticate the accuracy of the derived small-signal model. Finally, a scaled-down prototype is used to verify the accuracy of the small-signal model.

A bidirectional non-isolated hybrid modular DC–DC converter with zero-voltage switching

In this paper, a bidirectional non-isolated hybrid modular DC–DC converter for high-voltage (HV) applications is investigated. In this configuration, conventional Half-Bridge Sub-Modules (HB-SMs) are employed. The proposed DC–DC converter is based on connecting the SMs capacitors in series across the high DC voltage level while connecting them sequentially across the low DC voltage level. On another frontier, an HV valve, based on series-connected Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), is required at the HV side. The main confronted challenge of the series-connected IGBTs is the voltage sharing during turn-on and turn-off periods, which necessitates the engagement of an intricate voltage sharing technique. In this work, a switching pattern is proposed to ensure zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of the involved HV valve. In order to reduce the switching losses and avoid complex active gate control recruited for dynamic voltage sharing, the zero-voltage state is extended beyond the switching time. A detailed illustration of the hybrid modular DC–DC converter is presented, elucidating the proposed switching pattern. Simulation results, using Matlab/Simulink platform, are presented to validate the contribution of the paper. Finally, a scaled-down prototype is employed for experimental verification.

A HVDC shunt tap based on unidirectional hybrid modular DC–DC converter with simultaneous charging and sequential discharging of capacitors

In this paper, a new HVDC shunt tap is proposed. The proposed configuration consists of a unidirectional hybrid modular DC–DC converter followed by a voltage source converter for DC–AC conversion to feed a local AC network connected to the tap output terminals. The proposed DC–DC converter consists of a high-voltage valve, and series-connected unidirectional half-bridge Sub-Modules (SMs). Unlike Marx generator circuit concept, the DC–DC conversion in the proposed configuration is achieved by enabling simultaneous charging of series-connected capacitors (i.e. SMs capacitors), and sequential discharging of capacitors. Compared to Marx-generator based switched capacitor DC–DC converters, the proposed configuration has a lower number of semiconductor devices, which affects positively the system cost, and reduces the control complexity. Detailed illustration, design, and control of the proposed approach are presented. Simulation results are presented to validate the proposed approach.

High-Voltage Tapped-Inductor Buck Converter Utilizing an Autonomous High-Side Switch

A high-voltage tapped-inductor buck converter utilizing a novel autonomous high-voltage valve is presented in this paper. Its application as auxiliary power supply for high-power cascaded-converter submodules is discussed, followed by a presentation of the most challenging problems in designing a low-power high-voltage step-down converter. The TI-buck converter topology is analyzed, which together with the novel autonomous high-voltage valve overcomes most of the problems. Analytical expressions describing the operation as well as circuit simulations are presented. Finally, an experimental evaluation of a 3-kV 70-W prototype converter utilizing the proposed autonomous high-voltage valve with series-connected super-junction MOSFETs is presented.

Computer Simulation of New High Capacity and Low-Loss HVDC Transmission for Sustainable Energy Systems

This paper presents a new technique for the design of high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system to transmit the electrical energy generated by sustainable energy sources to load center located at far distances. The problems with high power capacity and power loss of high voltage alternating current (HVAC) system particularly in long distance transmission, has led to emerge new technology which is HVDC transmission. Therefore, with the development of high voltage valves, it is possible to transmit DC power at high voltages and over long distances. Simulation results show that the HVDC has the capability to produce ±1000 kV with high power capacity of 3 GW and efficiency equal to 98% for load center located at 1000 km. The simulation of this study is implemented using MATLAB/Simulink software. This study provides an insight and useful for the design of future HVDC transmission technology to deliver a large amount of electricity over long distance efficiently.

Analysis of Fatigue Reliability and Fatigue Life for a High Voltage Valve

The high voltage valve bears repeated loads and impact in its working state. Fatigue failure or fatigue damage is the most common failure mode of high voltage valves. This work analyzes the working principle and working characteristics of a high voltage valve under a static rated load, and proposes the necessity of the fatigue analysis. The failure probability of the high voltage valve is presented and the service life of the entire valve obtained. To find the part prone to fail, the evaluation of the fatigue life of the high voltage valve is carried out. The fatigue life and safety factor of the high voltage valve is obtained. It is found that the edge joints are easy to fatigue failure, which provides a reference for the actual application and of maintenance the high voltage valve.

The design of high-voltage high-power mercury-arc convertors

The realization of high-voltage d.c. transmission has been prevented by the lack of reliable rectifiers and inverters, although the possibilities of mercury-arc-convertor operation up to 100 kV and 100 MW have been demonstrated by some test installations surveyed in the paper. The same type of valve may be used for both rectification and inversion; the stresses present during both operations are analysed in terms of the random failures which have so far prevented a large-scale practical transmission. High-voltage operation by means of series-connected low-voltage valves is prohibitive, and no more than three valves should be used in series. However, experience has shown that a series of gaps within a single envelope can be used for very-high-voltage conversion. The basic concept of forced voltage subdivision of the anode space is examined, and the conditions necessary to ensure sufficiently high breakdown thresholds are outlined. None of the present high-voltage valves fulfils all the requirements for trouble-free operation, owing to the various phenomena which lower the threshold and cause random failures. Therefore, a valve is described which is expected to meet these requirements, and which, when used in a 3-phase 6-pulse bridge, is designed to convert 250 MW of power at 250 kV. No radically new concepts are involved; the proposed techniques extend modern rectifier experience but will require careful development for the large dimensions. The paper concludes with a brief survey of the anticipated performance of the valve under backfire conditions, of the auxiliary and control devices necessary, and of the future trends of development.