Number Of Submodules Research Articles

Comprehensive Analysis on the Modulation and Control Schemes for Modular Multilevel Converters

The energy transition is thoroughly conducted worldwide, with a significant shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources. The most essential benefit of utilizing clean energy is environmental sustainability, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The technology of multilevel converters is of great significance for converting high-voltage and large-capacity electric energy and improving power consumption efficiency. Compared with traditional topology, modular multilevel converter (MMC) adopts a modular design, and each module is composed of independent sub-modules, which is highly flexible and scalable. This design allows the number of sub-modules to be increased or reduced according to actual needs, adapting to different voltages and power levels. However, its distinct characteristics, such as submodules, circulating currents, and parameter sensitivity, require a sophisticated control system to manage the external and internal variables with high dynamical performance. This paper analyzes the basic principle and topology of the modular multilevel converter; the existing research protocols are reviewed and summarized for these three challenges, respectively. Finally, prospect the future development trends and technical challenges.

Circulating Current Suppression Combined with APF Current Control for the Suppression of MMC Voltage Fluctuations

Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) are widely used in HV and MVDC transmission. However, their application causes the voltage level to increase, and the number of sub-modules also increases. Problems such as circulating currents and sub-module voltage fluctuations should not be neglected. Considering the coupling relationship between the circulating current and the sub-module capacitor voltage fluctuation, the circulating current suppressing controller (CCSC) and the active power filter (APF) techniques are used to solve the two problems mentioned above simultaneously. Firstly, in order to reduce the influence of clutter on the tracking of the target components of the CCSC, a Second-Order Generalized Integrator (SOGI) is added to accurately lock the main 2nd and 4th harmonic components in the circulating current. Secondly, an APF is added on top of the circulating current suppression, and the two methods can be mutually reinforcing in their roles. The APF applies the strategy of current inner-loop dominant and voltage outer-loop bias control. It is regarded as a whole for absorbing the voltage fluctuations of the sub-module and also eliminates the error caused by the inductive voltage. Finally, the effectiveness of the above method is verified in MATLAB/Simulink, which demonstrates that the proposed method provides better suppression of both circulating current and sub-module voltage fluctuations compared to the conventional MMC that only incorporates APF.

Computationally efficient data‐driven model predictive control for modular multilevel converters

AbstractThe application of model predictive control (MPC) for the control of modular multilevel converters (MMCs) is widely explored because it offers flexibility in integrating multiobjective control and delivers superior dynamic response. Nonetheless, the increase in computational complexity due to the rise in the number of submodules (SMs) is one of the major drawbacks of this technique. This paper presents a finite control set model predictive control (FCS‐MPC) that significantly reduces the computational complexity by employing sparse identification of non‐linear systems (SINDy) to obtain a simplified linear model for the MMC. The SINDy model reduces the complexity of performing the prediction step by integrating input terms into the dynamics of load current and circulating current. This simplifies the implementation compared to the conventional FCS‐MPC approaches by eliminating the need to evaluate the voltage dynamics. The computational burden is further reduced while maintaining voltage levels at the output by restricting the number of combinations for the inserted SMs to only instead of . A detailed comparison between the proposed technique and the existing strategies demonstrates that the proposed technique offers a more computationally efficient solution for implementing FCS‐MPC on MMCs, while improving the circulating current suppression due to more accurate predictions. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed approach.

Real-Time Implementation of Three-Phase Z Packed U-Cell Modular Multilevel Grid-Connected Converter Using CPU and FPGA

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is a promising converter for medium-/high voltage applications due to its various features. The waveform quality could be enhanced further by expanding the number of generated voltage levels, which increases the number of submodules (SMs); however, this improvement enlarges the size and cost of the converter, posing a persistent challenge. Hence, there exists a trade-off between power quality and the size and complexity of the converter. To verify the performance of such a complex converter and to validate the effectiveness of the control system, especially in the absence of a physical system, Real-Time (RT) simulation becomes crucial. However, the large number of components of a MMC creates important numerical challenges and computational difficulties in RT simulation. This paper proposes a grid-connected MMC employing a Z Packed U-Cell converter as a SM to generate a higher number of voltage levels while minimizing the required number of SMs. The ZPUC-MMC is implemented on an FPGA-based RT simulation platform using Electric Hardware Solver to reduce computational burden and simulation time, while improving the accuracy of the obtained results. Conventional controllers of MMCs are applied to assess the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed system during steady-state and dynamic operations.

Model Predictive Control of a Modular Multilevel Converter with Reduced Computational Burden

Recent advances in high-power applications employing voltage source converters have been primarily fuelled by the emergence of the modular multilevel converter (MMC) and its derivatives. Model predictive control (MPC) has emerged as an effective way of controlling these converters because of its high response. However, the practical implementation of MPC encounters hurdles, particularly in MMCs featuring many sub-modules per arm. This research introduces an approach termed folding model predictive control (FMPC), coupled with a pre-processing sorting algorithm, tailored for modular multilevel converters. The objective is to alleviate a significant part of the computational burden associated with the control of these converters. The FMPC framework combines multiple control objectives, encompassing AC current, DC current, circulating current, arm energy, and leg energy, within a unified cost function. Both simulation studies and real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing are conducted to verify the efficacy of the proposed FMPC. The findings underscore the FMPC’s ability to deliver fast response and robust performance under both steady-state and dynamic operating conditions. Moreover, the FMPC adeptly mitigates circulating currents, reduces total harmonic distortion (THD%), and upholds capacitor voltage stability within acceptable thresholds, even in the presence of harmonic distortions in the AC grid. The practical applicability of MMCs, notwithstanding the presence of a large number of sub-modules (SMs) per arm, is facilitated by the significant reduction in switching states and computational overhead achieved through the FMPC approach.

Optimal number of supercapacitors per submodule in the energy storage system based on a modular multilevel converter with embedded balance control

As renewable energy sources interconnected to the electric grid increase, deploying distributed energy storage systems along the grid is a viable solution to sustain grid stability. One of the critical aspects of any energy storage system is its efficiency in transferring power to the grid. Another important aspect is managing high power levels in a short time and being easily expandable in terms of energy capacity and power handling. For this reason, supercapacitors are suitable energy storage devices to fulfill these requisites. This article focuses on analyzing the losses and improving the efficiency of a supercapacitor energy storage system based on a modular multilevel converter, which accomplishes all the abovementioned functions and capabilities. The analyzed energy storage system is based on submodules, including the power electronic interface and the supercapacitors. Hence, the system can be easily expanded because the submodule provides the functions of balancing the energy storage devices, the DC/AC, and the DC/DC conversions by using the modular multilevel converter topology approach. Therefore, any number of submodules can be connected, and the operator can make an array of the desired power, energy, and voltage ratings. This study details a probabilistic loss analysis for the proposed supercapacitor energy storage system and presents a case study using 3000F supercapacitor cells for a 6.6 kW single-phase system. The improved submodule version is validated through simulations and experimentally with a lab-scale prototype. The results show how the proposed methodology increases the system's overall efficiency with a 95 % confidence level.

Hardware-in-the-loop setup for enhanced modular multi-level converter with reduced circulating currents

Owing to its essential features, such as modularity and exceptional power quality, the modular multilevel converter (MMC) emerges as the optimal converter topology for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) applications. Traditionally, MMCs are controlled through a method called nearest level modulation (NLM), which generates N+1 AC output voltages, where N represents the number of sub modules (SMs) per arm. In this paper, we introduce a modified NLM technique designed to yield 2N+1 and 4N+1 levels, with a focus on efficiently controlling internal dynamics. The proposed MMC is evaluated using a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environment to obtain real-time simulation outcomes. This MMC topology demonstrates a reduction in circulating currents and capacitor voltage ripple.

Arm‐current sensorless model predictive control for grid‐interfacing modular multilevel converter with reduced switching frequency

AbstractModel predictive control (MPC) emerges as an attractive alternative for the control of modular multilevel converters (MMCs) owing to its superior dynamic performance and ease of implementation. Nevertheless, conventional MPC's performance could be further improved by reducing dependence on weighting factors, switching frequency, and computational burden. To achieve these objectives, an arm‐current sensorless MPC is developed for a grid‐interfacing MMC in this article. The MPC is integrated with an arm‐current sensorless reduced switching frequency voltage balance algorithm that requires only switching vectors (where number of submodules per arm) to optimize the cost function. This method does not require knowledge of arm‐current direction to decide the charging and discharging state of the submodule capacitors. The developed control not only reduces the switching frequency of devices but also eliminates the need to sense the arm currents. As a result, it reduces the system's cost, complexity, computational burden, switching losses and provides a more reliable control method for MMCs with superior dynamic performance. Further, the effect of parameter mismatch on the developed MPC's dynamic performance and stability is studied. The developed MPC's effectiveness is validated through both simulation and experimental results and also compared with existing methods under different conditions.

A enhanced control strategy for capacitance voltage equalization in modular multilevel converter

In searching for the optimal control strategy of sub-module capacitance voltage equalization of Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC), the most important issue is how to address the significant increase in computing time of the controller, switching frequency of the sub-module, device switching loss and MMC fault rate led by the increase in the number of sub-modules of the upper/lower bridge arm of the MMC. Therefore, this paper proposes a control strategy based on the retaining factor method + improved quick sort, namely, an improved quick sort algorithm is used to sort the sub-module capacitance voltages to reduce the amount of computation of the MMC controller; at the same time, a retaining factor is introduced to participate in the improved quick sort to significantly reduce the switching frequency of the sub-module. MMC of large ship grid-connected photovoltaic power system is taken as a research object in this paper, a 31-level MMC model is built in Matlab/Simulink. Simulation results verify that the improved quick sort has a good rapidity compared to the algorithms of bubble sort, quick sort, bidirectional bubble sort, and improved merge sort, that the retention factor method has a good frequency reduction effect, and that the proposed retention factor + improved quick sort can provide a good performance compared to improved quick sort and retention factor + improved merge sort under conditions of the normal operation and introducing disturbance.

A New Hybrid Modular Multilevel Rectifier as MVac–LVdc Active Front-End Converter for Fast Charging Stations and Data Centers

As the power demands from DC energy-storage and loads continue to grow in electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations and data centers, the power delivery infrastructure faces challenges with the installation of bulky, heavy, and slow responsive line-frequency power transformer (LFT). These transformers are required to step-down the feeder voltage from medium-voltage (MV) ac grid-service to low-voltage (LV) ac, followed by LVac-LVdc rectifiers. This approach results in a large equipment footprint, heavy conductor copper usage, and lower efficiency. Consequently, there is increasing interest in exploring direct interface from MVac to LVdc without the need for LFT. This paper proposed a new solution called MVac-LVdc hybrid modular multilevel rectifier (HMMR). The HMMR serves as a centralized step-down active front-end converter, enabling power delivery to LVdc with a reduced number of dc/dc back-end isolated converters. Compared to the modular multilevel converter (MMC) used as the MVac interface solution, the proposed HMMR could save the submodule number by 40%, reduce losses by 22%, and significantly reduce the footprint area by 37%, effectively increasing the power density and reducing the construction cost. Moreover, the proposed HMMR has the potential to operate in both unity and non-unity power factor modes, allowing it to provide the grid-support functionality. The performance of HMMR is evaluated and compared with full-bridge MMC in the case of 13.8 kV ac to 6 kV dc. The feasibility of the proposed converter is verified by the simulation results with the same specifications. Finally, a scale-down 1.4 kV HMMR prototype is developed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed converter.

Fault-tolerant strategies in MMC-based high power magnet supply for particle accelerator

Many particle accelerators require to supply chains of magnets with high quality, high magnitude, cycling currents. To do this, the power converters need to provide high output voltages, reaching in some cases tens of kilovolts. Additionally, converters are required to store the magnet energy during de-magnetization cycles. For such application, Full-bridge Modular Multilevel Converters (FB-MMC) could be used given their capacity to store energy and their inherent reliability. In this sense, one of the most interesting features of the proposed topology is the possibility of bypassing one or several submodules in the event of a fault or malfunction. By doing this, it is possible to ride-through the failure of a component and avoid the interruption of the accelerator operation.However, when the number of submodules is small, this operation could lead to an excessive charge of the healthy cells, increasing the risk of secondary failures. Besides, undesired harmonic content could appear on the output current, degrading the operation of the accelerator. It is then necessary to implement strategies that allow to remove a faulty cell without significantly impacting the operation of the remaining ones and of the converter itself.Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to investigate several of these strategies and assess them. By means of detailed computer simulations, the behaviour of the converter during normal and submodule fault conditions is analysed. Then, several fault-tolerant strategies are described, verified and compared with the aid of simulation tools. The results show the effectiveness of the analysed strategies in avoiding the overvoltage on the healthy submodules after a cell bypass and the little impact of this operation on the quality of the converter output current.

Predictive Control of Modular Multilevel Converters: Adaptive Hybrid Framework for Circulating Current and Capacitor Voltage Fluctuation Suppression

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) are widely used in voltage-sourced, converter-based high-voltage DC systems due to their modular design, scalability, and fault tolerance capabilities. In MMCs, multi-variable control objectives can be employed by using model predictive control (MPC) due to its fast dynamic response and ease of implementation. Nonetheless, conventional MPC techniques for MMCs have shortcomings, including high computational requirements, poor circulating current, and capacitor voltage fluctuation suppression. First, this study proposes an adaptive MPC technique that adapts the number of candidate combinations to the steady and transient states, significantly reducing the computational burden. Second, an improved hybrid combination of an MPC with a proportional-resonance (PR) controller enhances the circulating current and capacitor voltage fluctuation suppression performance. According to the phase difference between the circulating current and the capacitor voltage, the circulating current and capacitor voltage can be suppressed at different times by changing the circulating current reference of the PR controller. The switching frequency can be reduced by using the PR controller’s output to adjust the input submodule number instead of changing the duty cycle. The proposed techniques were validated by simulations and experimental case studies with a three-phase grid-connected MMC.

Delta Configured Multi Busbar Sub-Module Modular Multilevel STATCOM With Partially Rated Energy Storage for Frequency Support

This paper presents a delta-configured, modular multilevel, STATCOM with integrated partially-rated energy storage (ES) and submodules (SM) based on the Multi-Busbar Sub-module (MBSM) topology. The soft-paralleling of SM capacitors using the nature of diodes leads to lower SM voltage deviation and lower circulating current to be used for SM balancing and improves the overall operation of the converter. Partially rated ES are distributedly integrated in SMs to provide ancillary service, e.g. frequency support, in addition to the classic reactive power provision. The study uses the analytical formulation of the MBSM to derive the control system and the optimal phase angle of the circulating current required for SM balancing. A comparison of different operating modes (MBSM vs emulated full-bridge SM) is presented and confirmed by simulation results. Analysis indicates that the MBSM improves the power efficiency (30.5% total losses reduction at the 1 pu reactive power set-point and 3.56% reduction at 1 pu active power set-point) compared with the conventional full-bridge SM, at the cost of doubling the number of semiconductor devices; but not the number of sub-modules.

Balanced Charging Algorithm for CHB in an EV Powertrain

The scientific literature acknowledges cascaded H-bridge (CHB) converters as a viable alternative to two-level inverters in electric vehicle (EV) powertrain applications. In the context of an electric vehicle engine connected to a DC charger, this study introduces a state of charge (SOC)-governed method for charging li-ion battery modules using a cascaded H-bridge converter. The key strength of this algorithm lies in its ability to achieve balanced charging of battery modules across all three-phase submodules while simultaneously controlling the DC charger, eliminating the need for an additional intermediate converter. Moreover, the algorithm is highly customizable, allowing adaptation to various configurations involving different numbers of submodules per phase. Simulative and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed charging algorithm, validating its practical application.

Novel Distributed Control Platform and Algorithm for a Modular Multilevel Matrix Converter

The Modular Multilevel Matrix Converter (M3C) is an attractive topology for low-speed drives and DFIG applications. Both modularity and scalability make the topology attractive for high-power medium-voltage systems. One of the main challenges for the design and implementation of an M3C is the control platform, which has to handle a high number of submodules and measured values. This paper introduces a new control platform including a high-speed communication network between the distributed control units. The control platform and algorithms are implemented on a 15 kvar M3C test bench with 108 full bridge submodules.

A Tractable Failure Probability Prediction Model for Predictive Maintenance Scheduling of Large-Scale Modular-Multilevel-Converters

Modular-multilevel-converters (MMCs) are vital components in direct current transmission networks. Predictive maintenance scheduling of MMCs requires estimations of the failure probabilities of MMCs during a period of time in the future. Particularly, the predicted future failure probabilities are influenced by two main factors, the mission profiles of the MMCs and the maintenance decisions on the MMCs during the prediction period. This paper proposes a failure probability prediction model (FPM) for MMCs by considering these two factors. First, the expectations of the failure probabilities of the components for all the scenarios of mission profiles are obtained. Second, in predictive maintenance scheduling problems, the decisions to perform the maintenance actions are represented by binary variables. When the number of submodules is very large, using the binomial probability form currently used in reliability engineering to express the “r-out-of-n” failure probability of arms of the MMCs is intractable. Thus, this paper proposes a tractable form (T-form) in FPM by observing that the submodules on one arm are homogeneous. Furthermore, an approximation method, i.e., clustering and assignment (C&A), is proposed to reduce the computation times for calculating the parameters needed by the proposed T-form. Then, we perform a case study that assesses the accuracy and computation time of the C&A approach. The results show that the accuracy of the C&A approach is high and that the computation time is reduced significantly compared with the accurate method. We also show that the computation time for solving the predictive maintenance scheduling problem can be reduced hugely by using the T-form instead of the binomial probability form.

A hybrid arm‐multiplexing MMC for DC fault ride‐through without blocking

AbstractConsidering both the DC fault ride‐through (FRT) and lightweight requirements of modular multilevel converter (MMC), this paper proposes a hybrid arm‐multiplexing modular multilevel converter (HAM‐MMC). The phase leg of the proposed MMC topology is divided into upper, middle, and lower arms, configured with full‐bridge submodules (FBSMs), half‐bridge submodules (HBSMs), and FBSMs, respectively. The time‐division multiplexing of middle arms between upper and lower arms is achieved by introducing arm selection switches, which considerably enhances the submodule utilization and thus minimizes the submodule number. The structure and zero voltage switching strategy of arm selection switches are presented, and a modified sorting algorithm is developed for capacitor voltage balance. The negative level output capability of FBSMs in upper and lower arms allows the DC voltage to be reduced in response to DC faults. Compared with the conventional hybrid MMC composed of HBSMs and FBSMs in a 1:1 ratio, the HAM‐MMC has the same power quality and DC FRT capability, but uses 25% fewer capacitors for lightweight. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed HAM‐MMC can smoothly ride through DC voltage dip without interrupting power transmission, and can also rapidly resume normal operation after a zero‐voltage disturbance.

A Flying Capacitor Hybrid Modular Multilevel Converter With Reduced Number of Submodules and Power Losses

This paper presents a novel flying capacitor type hybrid modular multilevel converter (FC-HMMC) as an alternative to the traditional modular multilevel converter (MMC) for medium voltage (MV) applications. Combining the high voltage line-frequency switches with the low voltage high frequency submodule (SM) based chain-link, the proposed hybrid solution can balance the benefits from conventional multilevel converter and MMC. Compared to the HB-MMC, FC-HMMC can save 50% SMs, 25% devices, 37% capacitor and 20% conduction losses, hence improving the power density and power efficiency a lot. Besides, the dc and ac side is not coupled for this topology, which means the modulation index is not fixed. Another advantage is that the high voltage switch operates in soft-switching naturally at any modulation index or power factor, thereby reducing the power losses. Based on this characteristic, a unidirectional FC type hybrid modular multilevel rectifier (FC-HMMR) with only HV diodes is proposed as well. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed topology is validated by both simulation and experiments.

DC Charging Capabilities of Battery-Integrated Modular Multilevel Converters Based on Maximum Tractive Power

The increase in the average global temperature is a consequence of high greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, using alternative energy carriers that can replace fossil fuels, especially for automotive applications, is of high importance. Introducing more electronics into an automotive battery pack provides more precise control and increases the available energy from the pack. Battery-integrated modular multilevel converters (BI-MMCs) have high efficiency, improved controllability, and better fault isolation capability. However, integrating the battery and inverter influences the maximum DC charging power. Therefore, the DC charging capabilities of 5 3-phase BI-MMCs for a 40-ton commercial vehicle designed for a maximum tractive power of 400 kW was investigated. Two continuous DC charging scenarios are considered for two cases: the first considers the total number of submodules during traction, and the second increases the total number of submodules to ensure a maximum DC charging voltage of 1250 V. The investigation shows that both DC charging scenarios have similar maximum power between 1 and 3 MW. Altering the number of submodules increases the maximum DC charging power at the cost of increased losses.

A capacitor voltage self‐balancing method of modular multilevel converters based on switching state matrix construction

AbstractThis study presents a submodule capacitor voltage self‐balancing method for modular multilevel converters (MMCs) based on switching state matrix construction, which has an advantage over eliminating massive sensor demanding and alleviating computational burden for a large number of submodules. It is mathematically proved that MMC has only one static equilibrium operating point to which the submodule capacitor voltages will converge naturally by the evaluation of capacitor voltage deviation index. A novel switching state matrix of submodules is constructed off‐line according to the mathematical proof, and the switching state vectors are cyclically selected from the matrix and distributed to the switching gate signals among the submodules to realize capacitor voltage self‐balance, avoiding real‐time capacitor voltage sampling and sorting. The proposed method is compatible with the conventional double closed‐loop control of MMCs. Theoretical conclusions are verified by simulations and experiments.