Generalized Voltage-based State-Space Modelling of Modular Multilevel Converters with Constant Equilibrium in Steady-State

This paper demonstrates that the sum and difference of the upper and lower arm voltages are suitable variables for deriving a generalized state-space model of an MMC which settles at a constant equilibrium in steady-state operation, while including the internal voltage and current dynamics. The presented modelling approach allows for separating the multiple frequency components appearing within the MMC as a first step of the model derivation, to avoid variables containing multiple frequency components in steady-state. On this basis, it is shown that Park transformations at three different frequencies ($+\omega$, $-2\omega$ and $+3\omega$) can be applied for deriving a model formulation where all state-variables will settle at constant values in steady-state, corresponding to an equilibrium point of the model. The resulting model is accurately capturing the internal current and voltage dynamics of a three-phase MMC, independently from how the control system is implemented. The main advantage of this model formulation is that it can be linearised, allowing for eigenvalue-based analysis of the MMC dynamics. Furthermore, the model can be utilized for control system design by multi-variable methods requiring any stable equilibrium to be defined by a fixed operating point. Time-domain simulations in comparison to an established average model of the MMC, as well as results from a detailed simulation model of an MMC with 400 sub-modules per arm, are presented as verification of the validity and accuracy of the developed model

Losses estimation method by simulation for the Modular Multilevel Converter

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is the most promising solution to connect HVDC grids to a HVAC one. The installation of new equipment in the HVDC transmission systems requires an economic study where the power losses play an important role. Since the MMC it is composed of a high number of semiconductors components, the losses estimation becomes complex. This paper proposes a simulation based method for the losses estimation that combines the MMC averaged and instantaneous model in a modular way. The method brings the possibility to perform comparisons in terms of losses for different modules technologies as well as different high and low level control techniques. Also the losses characteristics within the MMC are also discussed and the passive losses are firstly taken into accoun

Dynamic Analysis of MMC-Based MTDC Grids : Use of MMC Energy to Improve Voltage Behavior

This article deals with DC voltage dynamics of Multi-Terminal HVDC grids (MTDC) with energy-based controlled Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC) adopting the commonly used power-voltage droop control technique for power flow dispatch. Special focus is given on the energy management strategies of the MMCs and their ability to influence on the DC voltage dynamics. First, it is shown that decoupling the MMC energy from the DC side, causes large and undesired DC voltage transient after a sudden power flow change. This occurs when this energy is controlled to a fixed value regardless of the DC voltage level. Second, the Virtual Capacitor Control technique is implemented in order to improve the results. However, its limitations on droop-based MTDC grids are highlighted. Finally, a novel energy management approach is proposed to improve the performance of the later method. These studies are performed with detailed MMC models suitable for the use of linear analysis techniques. The derived MTDC models are validated against time-domain simulations using detailed EMT MMC models with 400 sub-modules per arm

Impact of control algorithm solutions on Modular Multilevel Converters electrical waveforms and losses

Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC) are becoming increasingly popular with the development of HVDC connection and, in the future, Multi Terminal DC grid. A lot of publications have been published about this topology these last years since it was first proposed. Many of them deal with converter control methods, other address the method of estimating losses. Usually, the proposed losses estimation techniques are associated to simple control methods For VSC (Voltage Sources Converters) topology, the losses minimization is based on the limitation of the RMS currents values. This hypothesis is usually extended to the control of MMC, by limiting the differential currents to their DC component, without really being checked. This paper investigates the impact of two control algorithms variants on electrical quantities (currents, capacitor voltages ripple, losses). From the published results, it is shown that in some cases the usual choice is not the best one

Improving Small-Signal Stability of an MMC With CCSC by Control of the Internally Stored Energy

The DC-side dynamics of Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) can be prone to poorly damped oscillations or stability problems when the second harmonic components of the arm currents are mitigated by a Circulating Current Suppression Controller (CCSC). This paper demonstrates that the source of these oscillations is the uncontrolled interaction of the DC-side current and the internally stored energy of the MMC, as resulting from the CCSC. Stable operation and improved performance of the MMC control system can be ensured by introducing closed loop control of the energy and the DC-side current. The presented analysis relies on a detailed state-space model of the MMC which is formulated to obtain constant variables in steady state. The resulting state-space equations can be linearized to achieve a Linear Time Invariant (LTI) model, allowing for eigenvalue analysis of the small-signal dynamics of the MMC. Participation factor analysis is utilized to identify the source of the poorly damped DC-side oscillations, and indicates the suitability of introducing control of the internal capacitor voltage or the corresponding stored energy. An MMC connected to a DC power source with an equivalent capacitance, and operated with DC voltage droop in the active power flow control, is used as an example for the presented analysis. The developed small-signal models and the improvement in small-signal dynamics achieved by introducing control of the internally stored energy are verified by time-domain simulations in comparison to an EMT simulation model of an MMC with 400 sub-modules per arm

Small- signal stability analysis of Modular Multilevel Converters and application to MMC –based Multi-Terminal DC grids

Ces travaux de thèse portent essentiellement sur la modélisation, l’analyse et la commande des convertisseurs de type MMC intégrés dans un contexte MTDC. Le premier objectif de ce travail est d’aboutir à un modèle dynamique du convertisseur MMC, exprimé dans le repère dq, permettant d’une part, de reproduire avec précision les interactions AC-DC, et d’exprimer, d’autre part, la dynamique interne du convertisseur qui peut interagir également avec le reste du système. Le modèle développé peut être linéarisé facilement dans le but de l’exploiter pour l’étude de stabilité en se basant sur les techniques pour les systèmes linéaires à temps invariant. Ensuite, selon le modèle développé dans le repère dq, différentes stratégies de contrôle sont proposées en fonction de systèmes de contrôle-commande existantes dans la littérature mis en places pour le convertisseur MMC. Étant donné que l’ordre du système est un paramètre important pour l'étude des réseaux MTDC en présence de plusieurs stations de conversion de type MMC, l’approche de réduction de modèles à émerger comme une solution pour faciliter l’étude. En conséquence, différents modèles à ordre réduit sont développés, et qui sont validés par la suite, par rapport au modèle détaillé, exprimé dans le repère dq. Finalement, les modèles MMC développés ainsi que les systèmes de commande qui y ont associés sont exploités, pour l’analyse de stabilité en petits signaux des réseaux MMC-MTDC. Dans ce sens, la stratégie de commande associée à chaque MMC est largement évaluée dans le but d’investiguer les problèmes majeurs qui peuvent surgir au sein d’une configuration MTDC multi-constructeursThis thesis deals with the modeling and control of MMCs in the context of MTDC. The first objective is to obtain an MMC model in dq frame which can reproduce accurately the AC- and DC- interactions, while representing at the same time the internal dynamics which may interact with the rest of the system. This model is suitable to be linearized and to study its stability, among other linear techniques. Then, based on the developed dq model, different control strategies are developed based on the state-of-the-art on MMC controllers. Since the order of the system may be a limiting factor for studying MTDC grids with many MMCs, different reduced-order models are presented and compared with the detailed dq model. Finally, the developed MMC models with different controllers are used for the MTDC studies. The impact of the chosen controllers of each MMC is evaluated, highlighting the potential issues that may occur in multivendor schemes

Analyse de stabilité en petit signaux des Convertisseurs Modulaires Multiniveaux et application à l’étude d'interopérabilité des MMC dans les Réseaux HVDC

This thesis deals with the modeling and control of MMCs in the context of MTDC. The first objective is to obtain an MMC model in dq frame which can reproduce accurately the AC- and DC- interactions, while representing at the same time the internal dynamics which may interact with the rest of the system. This model is suitable to be linearized and to study its stability, among other linear techniques. Then, based on the developed dq model, different control strategies are developed based on the state-of-the-art on MMC controllers. Since the order of the system may be a limiting factor for studying MTDC grids with many MMCs, different reduced-order models are presented and compared with the detailed dq model. Finally, the developed MMC models with different controllers are used for the MTDC studies. The impact of the chosen controllers of each MMC is evaluated, highlighting the potential issues that may occur in multivendor schemes.Ces travaux de thèse portent essentiellement sur la modélisation, l’analyse et la commande des convertisseurs de type MMC intégrés dans un contexte MTDC. Le premier objectif de ce travail est d’aboutir à un modèle dynamique du convertisseur MMC, exprimé dans le repère dq, permettant d’une part, de reproduire avec précision les interactions AC-DC, et d’exprimer, d’autre part, la dynamique interne du convertisseur qui peut interagir également avec le reste du système. Le modèle développé peut être linéarisé facilement dans le but de l’exploiter pour l’étude de stabilité en se basant sur les techniques pour les systèmes linéaires à temps invariant. Ensuite, selon le modèle développé dans le repère dq, différentes stratégies de contrôle sont proposées en fonction de systèmes de contrôle-commande existantes dans la littérature mis en places pour le convertisseur MMC. Étant donné que l’ordre du système est un paramètre important pour l'étude des réseaux MTDC en présence de plusieurs stations de conversion de type MMC, l’approche de réduction de modèles à émerger comme une solution pour faciliter l’étude. En conséquence, différents modèles à ordre réduit sont développés, et qui sont validés par la suite, par rapport au modèle détaillé, exprimé dans le repère dq. Finalement, les modèles MMC développés ainsi que les systèmes de commande qui y ont associés sont exploités, pour l’analyse de stabilité en petits signaux des réseaux MMC-MTDC. Dans ce sens, la stratégie de commande associée à chaque MMC est largement évaluée dans le but d’investiguer les problèmes majeurs qui peuvent surgir au sein d’une configuration MTDC multi-constructeur

Dual Control Structure of Modular Multilevel Converters for Power System Support

This paper presents an analysis of two philosophies to control the modular multilevel converter (MMC). Most MMC control strategies are based on the philosophy used in the traditional voltage-source converter, in which the dc-bus voltage is controlled through the ac-side power; this approach is referred to here as the classical control approach. Because the MMC has an additional degree of freedom, an alternative control philosophy has recently been proposed, in which the dc-bus voltage is controlled through the dc-side power. In this paper, a comparison of these control approaches is presented and their main differences are described. Considering the increasing requirements imposed by system operators to converter-interfaced systems, guidelines are also given to provide supplementary services such as virtual inertia provision, short-term frequency support, virtual capacitor emulation, and oscillation damping. The provided insights are useful for selecting the appropriate MMC control strategy and for developing new supplementary controls for facilities based on the MMC topology.Fil: Leon, Enrique Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages". Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y de Computadoras. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Eléctrica "Alfredo Desages"; ArgentinaFil: Freytes, Julian. Electricite de France; Franci

On the modeling of MMC for use in large scale dynamic simulations

peer reviewedThis paper focuses on simplified models of the Modular Multilevel Converter suitable for large-scale dynamic studies, in particular simulations under the phasor approximation. Compared to the existing literature, this paper does not a priori adopt the modeling approach followed for the original twolevel or three-level Voltage Source Converter. On the contrary, a model is derived following a physical analysis that preserves its average internal dynamic behavior. An equivalent control structure is proposed and various alternatives are highlighted. The proposed model with its controllers has been implemented in a phasor simulation software and its response has been validated against a detailed Electromagnetic Transient model. Finally, an illustrative example is presented with the application of the proposed model on a large grid consisting of AC areas interconnected with a multi-terminal DC grid

Small-signal model analysis of droop-controlled modular multilevel converters with circulating current suppressing controller

This paper presents a small signal eigenvalue analysis applied to a droop-controlled HVDC terminal based on the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) topology. The applied linearised model is derived from previous modelling efforts recently proposed in the literature, which rely on the application of three Park transformations at different frequencies (ω, -2ω and 3ω) applied to associated variables defined within the MMC model. The investigated configuration is controlled under the well-known Circulating Current Suppression Controller (CCSC). The developed small-signal model is utilized to evaluate two different approaches for calculating the insertion index for modulation of the MMC, and to reveal potential stability problems in the system. It is demonstrated by participation factor analysis that the potentially unstable modes of the system under the investigated control strategy are linked to the uncontrolled zero-sequence component of the common-mode current resulting from the CCSC.acceptedVersio