Voltage Balancing Research Articles

Topology and Hybrid Modulation of Six-Level Switched-Capacitor HC Converter With Improved DC-Link Capacitor Voltage Balancing

Topology and Hybrid Modulation of Six-Level Switched-Capacitor HC Converter With Improved DC-Link Capacitor Voltage Balancing

An Adaptive Actuator Driver for AC Contactors

The actuator drivers are rarely transplanted among different contactors because the self-tuning of excitation control parameters either takes a long time or is relevant to many contactor structural parameters. An adaptive actuator driver for AC contactors is proposed based on the coil impedance estimation and mathematical equations between the coil impedance and excitation control parameters. The coil impedance estimation and its error correction are established through the voltage balance equation when the contactor is in the open position. The coil inductance estimation is established through the zero-state response equation when the contactor is in the closed position. The mathematical equations are established based on the equivalence of the electromagnetic force under different excitation methods, the power consumption model, and the control system's transfer function. A geometric feature of the flux linkage waveform is established to identify whether a contactor is in the closed position and realize the self-transition of the driver's working state. Then, self-tuning regulators for the excitation control parameters are realized. This driver has a plug-and-play function for AC contactors and can reduce the contactor's power consumption. This driver may be prospectively reduced to a chip.

Model Predictive Control for Cascaded H-Bridge PV Inverter with Capacitor Voltage Balance

We designed an improved direct-current capacitor voltage balancing control model predictive control (MPC)for single-phase cascaded H-bridge multilevel photovoltaic (PV) inverters. Compared with conventional voltage balancing control methods, the method proposed could make the PV strings of each submodule operate at their maximum power point by independent capacitor voltage control. Besides, the predicted and reference value of the grid-connected current was obtained according to the maximum power output of the maximum power point tracking. A cost function was constructed to achieve the high-precision grid-connected control of the CHB inverter. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control method was verified through a semi-physical simulation platform with three submodules.

An optimized Closed-loop Precharging Strategy for Modular Multilevel Converters Based on Power Balancing Control under start or fault restart conditions

Modular multilevel converter (MMC)-based high-voltage DC (HVDC) systems have found rapid growth in power grids. To reduce the inrush current, it is necessary to precharge the submodule (SM) capacitors to the rated voltage before normal operation. In this paper, an optimized pre-charging strategy for MMC is proposed based on power balancing . First, the charging power is obtained by a designed closed-loop control of the SM capacitors. Then the total power released by the AC or DC side could be calculated by power conservation and feedback by controlling the charging current. At the same time, the power difference between the upper and lower bridge arm of each phase and the internal voltage balancing of bridge arms are also considered by the proposed bridge arm and SM voltage algorithms. By comparing with conventional closed-loop pre-charging strategies, the pre-charging speed is greatly enhanced as the achievement of synchronous charging of upper and lower bridge arm SMs. Moreover, as the same voltage and current double closed-loop control applied in both MMC pre-charging and normal state, the state transition time could be reduced. Finally, a series of simulations and prototype experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed pre-charging strategy.

Modular PV System for Applications in Prosumer Installations with Uncontrolled, Unbalanced and Non-Linear Loads

This article proposes a modular system for prosumer installations composed of photovoltaic (PV) panels and energy storage (ES) integrated with the low voltage (LV) network through a common 4-wire AC/DC inverter. The novel idea is a control strategy for the inverter in which additional functionalities are incorporated. Apart from transmitting an active power generated by the PV source, the same inverter is used to manage energy generated by the PV and to compensate for the current unbalance, harmonics (including subharmonics and interharmonics) and reactive power of the prosumer loads. As a result of the algorithm operation, the currents flowing to the prosumer installation are sinusoidal, symmetrical and purely active, which results in voltage balancing and improving voltage waveforms at the point of common coupling (PCC). In this way, with the widespread use of this solution among prosumers, the impact of the prosumer installation on the distribution network is minimized, and power quality (PQ) disturbances such as unacceptable voltage rises, voltage unbalance and harmonics are avoided. The presented approach may be a solution to the problems network operators face nowadays due to the uncontrolled connection of PV sources. The proposed modular system is also beneficial for the prosumer as the instances of unacceptable overvoltage and, consequently, shutdowns of prosumer installations are reduced. The features of the proposed method are shown in relation to other means applied for PQ improvement in the networks with distributed generation. A principle of the control and the involving algorithm for the inverter is presented. The efficiency of the control strategy was tested in a simulation developed in the PSCAD/EMTDC program. The results of simulations are presented, and the proposed solution is concluded.

Study of Problem and Effect Mitigation Technique of Unbalance Capacitance in 500 kV Single Phase Transformers

This article presents the study of the effect of unbalanced stray capacitance in single-phase 500 kV power transformers and establishes the mitigation technique. The power transformers were operated in Wang Noi Substation for transmitting the electrical power. There are 3 units of single-phase power transformer. Previously, a transformer of phase B failed after being serviced for several years. Thus, the new power transformer was ordered instead of the failed one. However, once the new system had been operated, the hotspots at the surge arrester of tertiary winding (22 kV) were found and the unbalance of phase voltages was observed, resulting in overvoltage as a root cause of the problem. Once a thorough investigation was done, it was found that there was an effect of unbalanced stray capacitance between tertiary winding and ground core since the new power transformer has some different designs compared with the remaining. Hence, the mitigation technique was performed by adding the capacitor parallel to the tertiary winding until the voltage balance was achieved. Simulation with the PSCAD program was performed to determine the optimum value for additional capacitors, i.e., voltage balance, using an iterative method. In this article, the capacitors used for additional were capacitor voltage transformers, which have been installed. As a result of the troubleshooting, the voltage at the 22 kV bus was more balanced as well as not causing overvoltage, and the hotspots at the surge arrester of tertiary winding were not detected resulting in gaining the stability and reliability of using these transformers.

Specifying angular reference for robust three-phase state estimation

While the phase angle of any of the bus voltages can be chosen as the angular reference in the state estimation formulation of positive sequence networks, the same approach does not readily extend to three-phase network state estimation problem. It is commonly assumed that there is at least one bus where the bus voltages are perfectly balanced with phase angles displaced ±120° and these balanced three phase voltages are used as the three-phase reference in solving the three-phase state estimation problem. This assumption may be quite realistic in transmission networks, and for distribution networks with a strong transmission system connection. However, it might not be realistic to assume existence of a perfectly balanced reference bus in today’s distribution systems with ever increasing penetration of renewable sources or for isolated operation of microgrids. In this paper, a novel state estimation formulation will be presented which facilitates correct solution irrespective of the existence of buses with perfectly balanced voltages. The new formulation is general, and lends itself to bad data processing. It yields accurate results in any three-phase power system irrespective of its operating conditions (balanced or highly unbalanced), configuration (isolated microgrid, connected to transmission system, etc.) and whether or not it contains any synchronous generators. The performance of the method is validated using the IEEE 123 bus three-phase system.

Quasi-two-level method as an universal approach for voltage balancing of series-connected SiC MOSFETs

Quasi-two-level method as an universal approach for voltage balancing of series-connected SiC MOSFETs

Inorganic–organic modular silicon and dye-sensitized solar cells and predicted role of artificial intelligence towards efficient and stable solar chargers based on supercapacitors

Appropriate and rational management of the energy produced by renewable energy sources is one of the most urgent challenges for the global energy sector. This paper is devoted to the systematic experimental and theoretical studies of a modular solar charger based on silicon and dye-sensitized solar cells as an energy source, and supercapacitor as an energy bank. Using the MathCAD program, I–V characteristics were plotted for both a single cell and a photovoltaic module based on various series-to-parallel connections. To assess the surface quality of the modules, additional tests using a thermal imaging camera were carried out as well. The charging characteristics of the supercapacitor (two series-connected cells with a capacity of 300 F), were determined depending on the parameters of the photovoltaic module as well as considering the influence of the voltage balancing system and control system. The charge, discharge, and recharge characteristics were carefully analyzed to optimize the operating conditions, i.e. the number of photovoltaic cells. To evaluate the stability of parameters with operation time, and their temperature dependence (17–65 °C), solar modules were tested for ten days under Central European weather conditions. Importantly, a comparative analysis of solar chargers based on different configurations of photovoltaic cells showed an increase in electrical parameters for the proposed modular inorganic–organic concept compared to dye-sensitized solar cells produced alone on a rigid substrate. Finally, preliminary assumptions (requirements) were developed regarding the electrical and optical parameters for new dye-sensitized solar cells that could be used in the innovative solar charger instead of silicon cells along with a predicted role of artificial intelligence (AI) in these devices.

An Algorithm for a Space-Vector Pulse Width Modulation with a Hybrid Switching Sequence for a Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Voltage Source Inverter

This paper proposes a new algorithm for a space-vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) with a hybrid switching sequence (SS) designed to control a three-level (3L) neutral point clamped (NPC) voltage source inverter (VSI). Based on the advantages of five-stage and seven-stage SS, we designed a hybrid SS to improve four key parameters in the system: inverter output current quality, neutral point (NP) and common-mode (CM) voltage levels, and switching losses of power switches. The proposed algorithm flexibly regulates meeting the four criteria depending on the system operating conditions by changing the regulation coefficient. The paper obtained an approximate dependence to determine the optimal regulation coefficient for any values of the inverter modulation coefficient when operating jointly with an active-inductive load. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by computer simulation in the MatLab+Simulink environment, as well as the results of experimental studies. The paper presents the experimental dependences of static state spaces, including the distortion coefficient of higher current harmonics at the inverter output, the maximum error of the NP voltage, the number of switching pairs of power switches, and the pulse duty factor of CM voltage, depending on the inverter modulation coefficient and the regulation coefficient of the hybrid SS. The results showed that in the algorithm for a SVPWM with a hybrid SS, the number of switchings of power switches is reduced by an average of 13.5 % while maintaining the NP voltage balance and the quality of the curve at the inverter output at an acceptable level, close to a seven-stage SS (the deviations do not exceed 0.5 % and 0.2 %, respectively). The average CM voltage coefficient decreased by no more than 4.5 %. The indicators improve the energy saving, the weight-size parameters, and the operational reliability of the 3L NPC VSI. The application area of the algorithm is much wider and includes the control of power switches of active front ends, grid converters for electricity storage systems, active power filters, and power conditioners. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.237

Five-Port Isolated Bidirectional DC-DC Converter for Interfacing a Hybrid Photovoltaic–Fuel Cell–Battery System with Bipolar DC Microgrids

This paper introduces a novel five-port, three-input, dual-output isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter (FPIBC) topology with an effective controller for power-sharing and voltage-balancing in bipolar dc microgrids (BPDCMGs). The proposed converter acts as the interface for the integration of a hybrid generation system comprising a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a photovoltaic (PV) system, and a battery into BPDCMGs. It employs a reduced number of circuit elements compared with similar multiport converter topologies suggested for BPDCMG applications. Symmetrical bipolar output voltages are ensured by a voltage-balancing circuit composed of a fully controlled switch and four diodes. The FPIBC is equipped with different controllers for output voltage regulation and balancing, power sharing, maximum power point tracking of the PV, the optimum operating region of the SOFC, and constant-current, constant-voltage charging of the battery. To verify the viability and effectiveness of the proposed system, a simulation model was developed with a 4.2 kW SOFC, a 3.7 kW PV, and a 140 V 10.8 Ah battery in MATLAB/Simulink. The performance of the FPIBC was evaluated through extensive case studies with different operational modes, including battery charge/discharge states and SOFC and PV parameter changes under varying load conditions. In addition, the proposed system was examined using a daily dynamic load profile. According to the simulation results, a peak efficiency of 97.28% is achieved and the voltage imbalance between the output ports is maintained below 0.5%. It is shown that the FPIBC has advantages over previous converters in terms of the number of ports, number of circuit elements, bipolar output voltage, bidirectional power flow, and efficiency.

Investigation of a 25 kV–50 Hz Railway-Substation Power Supply Based on a Back-to-Back Modular Multilevel Converter Topology

This paper presents a preliminary study of a 25 kV–50 Hz railway substation power supply system. The control of a back-to-back converter based on modular multilevel converter (MMC) technology was investigated to fit with the power quality requirements of the application. One of the main challenges is the presence of constraining load conditions, under which the train circulation variability, low-frequency harmonics and critical power transients can notably decrease the power quality and lead to instability. In order to address this, cascaded controllers based on resonant controllers are proposed to ensure the desired performance. Furthermore, balancing voltage algorithms are added to avoid stress phenomena and additional losses in the studied power conversion interface. The paper presents the design of the control stages and demonstrates the robust performance of the system using a realistic loading condition of a railway substation.

Constant On/Off-Time Digital Current Control and Design Methods in Three-Level Flying-Capacitor Boost Converters for Fast Transient and Voltage Balancing

Constant On/Off-Time Digital Current Control and Design Methods in Three-Level Flying-Capacitor Boost Converters for Fast Transient and Voltage Balancing

Hybrid Virtual Coordinate-Driven CBPWM Strategy of Three-Level T-Type NPC Converters for Electric Aircraft Propulsion Applications

Green airborne transportation driven by the state-of-the-art turboelectric propulsion technology has received considerable attention from the aviation industry. To generate electrified thrust, three-level neutral-point-clamped (3L-NPC) converter-fed motor drives are one of the most promising candidates for the powertrain of future aircraft. However, the neutral-point (NP) potential ripple and deviation lead to harmonics and imperil the lifespan of semiconductors and capacitors. Besides, excessive power losses on the converter can limit propulsive power and shorten flight distance. To solve these issues, a new hybrid modulation strategy is proposed in this paper. With respect to the takeoff and climb featuring NP voltage drift-prone regions, carrier-based (CB) coordinate-driven modulation waves are exploited to enable virtual-space-vectors (VSVs). For operating points with high power factor, such as cruise, by reconstructing modulated signals, not only can the NP voltage balance be realized, but also the switching loss is reduced using active discontinuous pulse trains. The less computational burden is attributed to implementations in the sextant-coordinate system. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by simulation results from a Simulink/PLECS model and experimental results obtained from a 200 kVA silicon-carbide (SiC) based T-type 3L-NPC prototype with a variable output fundamental frequency.

CSA-based harmonic elimination controlled reduced switch multilevel inverter for standalone PV system

A standalone photovoltaic (PV) system has emerged as a clean energy solution for application in remote areas. To establish such a system a suitable converter is required for voltage boosting as well as to produce high-quality output as required by the load. To achieve this, multilevel inverters (MLIs) are the proven substitute in PV systems. A conventional MLI uses multiple sources and switches that increase the cost and complexity. To provide a complete stand-alone system solution that addresses this issue, reduced component switched capacitor (SC) based seven-level MLI is disclosed in this paper. A new crow search algorithm (CSA) based selective harmonic elimination (SHE) method is employed to estimate the switching angles. The dominant harmonic orders are removed from the 7-level SC-MLI output while the desired firing angles for the switches are evaluated. Using only seven switches, the circuit boosts the voltage to 1.5 times with the aid of self-balanced capacitors. Therefore, the circuit does not require an additional control circuit for voltage balancing. The overall system is designed in MATLAB/Simulink environment to test under different operating conditions. An experimental prototype of the 7-level SCMLI is also designed to validate the CSA-based SHE control and MLI performance in real time.

Transformer-Less Hybrid Series Static Compensator and its DC Capacitor Voltage Balance Technique Using Zero-Sequence Voltage

Transformer-Less Hybrid Series Static Compensator and its DC Capacitor Voltage Balance Technique Using Zero-Sequence Voltage

Green energy-sourced AI-controlled multilevel UPQC parameter selection using football game optimization

The power quality (PQ) has been significantly affected by the integration of intermittent non-conventional sources (NCS) into the local distribution system in addition to the adoption of power electronic technologies to regulate non-linear loads. This article combines the H-bridge cascade five-level unified power quality conditioner (5L-UPQC) with the wind power generation system (WPGS), solar photovoltaic power generation system (SPVGS), and battery storage system (BSS) as an effective approach to address PQ problems. The utilization of the Levenberg–Marquardt backpropagation (LMBP)-trained Artificial neural network controller (ANNC) in the UPQC is recommended for generating appropriate reference signals for the converters. This eliminates the requirement for conventional complex conversions, such as abc, dq0, and αβ. Moreover, the artificial neuro-fuzzy interface system (ANFIS) is recommended for achieving a DC-link balance. Football game optimization (FBGO) is utilized to determine the optimal shunt and series filter characteristics. The major objectives of the proposed system are to reduce the current waveform irregularities, resulting in a decrease in the total harmonic distortion (THD), an enhancement in the power factor (PF), the mitigation of supply voltage imbalances and disturbances, and the maintenance of a steady direct-current link capacitor voltage (DLCV), despite the variations in the load, solar irradiation, and wind velocity. The efficiency of the suggested strategy is assessed using four case studies that involve different loads, variable wind velocities, and source voltage balancing conditions. Based on the simulation studies and obtained results, the suggested method significantly decreases the THD to values of 2.91%, 3.63%, 3.75%, and 3.50%. Additionally, it achieves a power factor of unity, which is considerably lower compared to other multilevel schemes that use the traditional symmetrical reference frame (SRF) and instantaneous reactive power (pq) methods. This design has been executed using the MATLAB/Simulink program.

Capacitor Voltage Balancing Control of MMC Sub-Module Based on Neural Network Prediction

The issue of sub-module (SM) capacitor voltage unbalance is a hot topic in the current research into the modular multilevel converter (MMC). An excellent strategy comprises mitigating the SM capacitor voltage imbalance by adjusting the SM on time. The traditional capacitor voltage balancing control regulates the speed to maintain accuracy. A unique SM capacitor voltage balancing control strategy is presented in this paper and is based on conventional capacitor voltage balance management and neural network prediction. Firstly, the SM capacitor voltage and arm current are speculated by operating the time series forecasting technique in real time, considering the dynamic changes in the SM capacitor voltage and arm current. Secondly, the SM capacitor voltage distinction between the actual and theoretical value is determined, and a deviation’s mixed Gaussian distribution is established to estimate its compensation voltage. Thirdly, the SM triggering sequence is anticipated by using the neural network along with the pilot values of the SM capacitor voltage, arm current, and the offset compensation value, and the control is executed. Finally, a three-phase, six-leg, eight-module, nine-level MMC model is built to verify the feasibility of the suggested approach.

Output-feedback control of a grid-connected photovoltaic system based on a multilevel flying-capacitor inverter with power smoothing capability

With the large-scale integration of renewable energy systems, the power inertia and voltage support of the grid are low. Using the inverter with temporary storage capabilities cope with shortages and power fluctuations. This paper presents a new sensorless control of a single-phase grid-connected PV system based on a multilevel flying capacitor inverter MFCI) able to smooth out the power produced. The designed controller involves two cascade loops, an outer loop control extracts the maximum power despite climate change, and an inner loop consists of a model predictive control based on the Lyapunov theory for power factor correction and flying capacitor voltage balancing. Furthermore, an interconnected Kalman-like high-gain observer is combined with the predictive control algorithm to estimate the flying capacitor voltages accurately based on the actual grid current. The stability study of the suggested observer in the closed loop has been described. An algorithm that generates reference signals to manage power flows is also developed. The performance of the proposed controller has been verified on the MATLAB/Simulink platform, and the simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed controller over different grid operating modes.

A Discrete-Time Current Control Method for the High-Speed Permanent Magnet Motor Drive Using the Modular Multilevel Converter

High-speed permanent magnet motors (HSPMMs) have received attention in direct drive systems from the industry. Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) have become the most practical solution for HSPMMs in industrial applications due to the advantages of their highly modular structure, high-quality output and high reliability. In this article, the symmetrical discrete-time model of the MMC for the HSPMM drive is presented. Based on this symmetrical discrete-time model, the discrete-time current regulator has been designed. Moreover, the submodel (SM) capacitor energy balance models for MMC have been described, and the energy balance control scheme is introduced. Finally, the simulation and experimental results show that the presented discrete-time current regulator has a strong dynamic response at high speed (15 kr/min), and the SM capacitor voltage balance control is also achieved. Compared with the conventional PI current controller, the proposed discrete-time current regulator improves the current loop dynamic performance at high-speed, and the energy balance control scheme can ensure the SM capacitor voltage balance of the MMC.