Modular multilevel converter with modified half-bridge submodule and arm filter for dc transmission systems with DC fault blocking capability

Although a modular multilevel converter (MMC) is universally accepted as a suitable converter topology for the high voltage dc transmission systems, its dc fault ride performance requires substantial improvement in order to be used in critical infrastructures such as transnational multi-terminal dc (MTDC) networks. Therefore, this paper proposes a modified submodule circuit for modular multilevel converter that offers an improved dc fault ride through performance with reduced semiconductor losses and enhanced control flexibility compared to that achievable with full-bridge submodules. The use of the proposed submodules allows MMC to retain its modularity; with semiconductor loss similar to that of the mixed submodules MMC, but higher than that of the half-bridge submodules. Besides dc fault blocking, the proposed submodule offers the possibility of controlling ac current in-feed during pole-to-pole dc short circuit fault, and this makes such submodule increasingly attractive and useful for continued operation of MTDC networks during dc faults. The aforesaid attributes are validated using simulations performed in MATLAB/SIMULINK, and substantiated experimentally using the proposed submodule topology on a 4-level small-scale MMC prototype

Analysis and design of a modular multilevel converter with trapezoidal modulation for medium and high voltage DC-DC transformers

Conventional dual active bridge topologies provide galvanic isolation and soft-switching over a reasonable operating range without dedicated resonant circuits. However, scaling the two-level dual active bridge to higher dc voltage levels is impeded by several challenges among which the high dv/dt stress on the coupling transformer insulation. Gating and thermal characteristics of series switch arrays add to the limitations. To avoid the use of standard bulky modular multilevel bridges, this paper analyzes an alternative modulation technique where staircase approximated trapezoidal voltage waveforms are produced; thus alleviating developed dv/dt stresses. Modular design is realized by the utilization of half-bridge chopper cells. Therefore, the analyzed converter is a modular multi-level converter operated in a new mode with no common-mode dc arm currents as well as reduced capacitor size, hence reduced cell footprint. Suitable switching patterns are developed and various design and operation aspects are studied. Soft switching characteristics will be shown to be comparable to those of the two-level dual active bridge. Experimental results from a scaled test rig validate the presented concept

Three-phase ac-dc buck-boost converter with a reduced number of switches

A single-switch, single-stage, three-phase ac-dc buck-boost converter suitable for medium-voltage applications is proposed. Basic relations that govern steady-state converter operation are established, confirmed using PSCAD/EMTDC simulations, and substantiated experimentally. Simulation and experimental results establish that the proposed converter has good dynamic performance in buck and boost modes, with near unity input power factor

Analysis and design of a modular multilevel converter with trapezoidal modulation for medium and high voltage dc-dc transformers

Conventional dual active bridge topologies provide galvanic isolation and soft-switching over a reasonable operating range without dedicated resonant circuits. However, scaling the two-level dual active bridge to higher dc voltage levels is impeded by several challenges among which the high dv/dt stress on the coupling transformer insulation. Gating and thermal characteristics of series switch arrays add to the limitations. To avoid the use of standard bulky modular multilevel bridges, this paper analyzes an alternative modulation technique where staircase approximated trapezoidal voltage waveforms are produced; thus alleviating developed dv/dt stresses. Modular design is realized by the utilization of half-bridge chopper cells. Therefore, the analyzed converter is a modular multi-level converter operated in a new mode with no common-mode dc arm currents as well as reduced capacitor size, hence reduced cell footprint. Suitable switching patterns are developed and various design and operation aspects are studied. Soft switching characteristics will be shown to be comparable to those of the two-level dual active bridge. Experimental results from a scaled test rig validate the presented concept

Simulation study of FACTS devices based on AC-AC modular multilevel hexagonal chopper

This paper proposes a new range of FACTS device based on direct AC-AC conversion, where the modular multilevel AC hexagonal chopper (M2AHC) is employed. The M2AHC is operated in quasitwo-level (Q2L) mode; and the heterodyne modulation is used to decouple voltage amplitude regulation from the phase shift; thus, independent control of active and reactive power is achieved. Then, a family of FACTS devices based on M2AHC that offers voltage, active power and reactive power flow control as both shunt and series compensators is analyzed. The use of AC cell capacitors instead of DC capacitors in M2AHC makes its footprint much smaller and lighter than conventional AC-DC or DC-AC voltage source converter (VSC) based FACTS devices; hence, high reliability and extended service life could be expected. The system modeling and controller design of the proposed FACTS devices are illustrated in a unified reference frame, considering different control modes, transient and unbalanced conditions. Simulation results are used to verify the feasibility of the proposed M2AHC based FACTS device. These FACTS devices will be preferred over conventional counterpart for confined spaced applications such as the grid access of large-scale offshore wind farms and resolution of loop flow in megacities

A unified rule-based small-signal modelling technique for two-switch, non-isolated DC-DC converters in CCM

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : All generated data is contained in the manuscript.The inherent non-linear behavior of switch-mode power supplies complicates the task of computing their linear models, which are essential for a model-oriented control design of DC–DC converters. In a model-oriented control design approach, the accuracy of the plant model directly influences the performance of the control system as the plant parameters tend to be linked to the controllers’ gains. Moreover, the extractions of linear dynamic models of high-order non-linear plants such as DC–DC converters are laborious and mathematically intractable. Therefore, in this paper, a generalized expression that represents either the audio-susceptibility or the control-to-output voltage transfer function for voltage-mode control is proposed. The proposed generalization reduces the task of computing the small-signal model of a given converter to simple calculations of coefficients of generalized transfer function/expression. It is shown that the coefficients of the generalized model can be deduced by inspection, directly from the circuit diagram, allowing the whole model to be computed by inspection. Additionally, the proposed modelling technique will be shown to have secondary use of verifying accuracy even when conventional modelling techniques such as state-space averaging or circuit averaging are used.The National Research Foundation (NRF).https://www.mdpi.com/journal/energiesam2023Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineerin

Quasi two-level PWM operation of a nine-arm modular multilevel converter for six-phase medium-voltage motor drives

This paper proposes a hybrid converter for medium-voltage six-phase machine drive systems that mixes the operation of a traditional two-level voltage-source inverter and the modular multilevel converter (MMC) to enable operation over a wide frequency range. Topologically, the proposed converter consists of nine arms resembling two sets of three-phase MMCs with three common arms, yielding a nine-arm MMC with a 25% reduction in the number of employed arms compared to a traditional dual three-phase MMC. The multilevel property of a standard MMC is emulated in the proposed converter, however on a two-level basis, resulting in a stepped two-level output voltage waveform. The proposed converter has a reduced footprint with advantages of small voltage steps, modular structure, and ease of scalability. Further, it is able to drive high-power six-phase machines within low operating frequencies at the rated torque. The operating principle of the converter is elaborated, and its modulation scheme is discussed. The features of the proposed converter are verified through simulations and experimentally

Analysis and control of offshore wind farms connected with diode rectifier based HVDC system

This paper analyzes the control and operation of offshore wind farms connected with diode rectifier based HVDC (DR-HVDC) system. A small-signal state-space model of the offshore wind turbines (WTs) connected with DR-HVDC system is developed to design the WT Q-f droop control. The use of WT P-V and Q-f control during individual WT active power variation is clearly clarified. In order to reduce the interaction between WT active power and reactive power, an angle feedforward control is proposed where an additional phase shift is directly added to the WT output voltage based on the WT’s active power output. The effectiveness of the proposed control on improving dynamic response and reducing active and reactive power interaction is verified by frequency-domain analysis and time-domain simulations in PSCAD/EMTDC

Electrical interconnectors : market opportunities, regulatory issues, technology considerations and implications for the GB energy sector

The linking of different jurisdictions or markets via electrical interconnection is a long established means of offering enhanced security of supply to the wider electrical system. In recent years, new incentives around exploiting market price differentials and facilitating the growth of renewable energy have represented the primary motivation for new interconnector projects. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the technical options for delivering interconnectors, examines historical trends and discusses the ownership models, regulatory frameworks and market structures within which the investment case for new interconnectors must be made. Drawing on both technical and market considerations, the paper sets out the potential impact that interconnectors can have on the energy market and interested actors within connected markets before discussing in more detail the policy implications of the proposed roll out of new interconnector projects to the GB energy sector and suggests a number of factors beyond the current focus on consumer welfare could be given more prominence in the policy making around interconnector investment. The ways in which the UK's withdrawal from the European Union might impact on future and existing interconnectors in Britain is also discussed

Operation Analysis of Thyristor Based Front-to-Front Active-Forced-Commutated Bridge DC Transformer in LCC and VSC Hybrid HVDC Networks

The active-forced-commutated (AFC) bridge employs a symmetrical thyristor-bridge with auxiliary self-commutated full-bridge chain-link (FB-CL) circuit to assist its soft transition and forced commutation. This combination can form a thyristor based voltage source converter (VSC) with significantly reduced on-state losses and dc-fault blocking capability. Due to the full topological symmetry of the AFC-bridge, either current direction or dc-link voltage polarity can be reversed for power flow reversal as for the full-bridge modular multilevel converter (FB-MMC). Thus, the AFC-bridge is compatible with both line-commutated-converter (LCC) and VSC terminals in a multi-terminal high voltage direct current (MT-HVDC) network. This paper investigates its front-to-front (F2F) dc-dc application for matching the regional dc grids in a LCC and VSC hybrid HVDC network. Simulation studies are carried out to demonstrate its potentials as a high efficiency multi-functional solution for dc-dc conversion