A modified voltage balancing sorting algorithm for the modular multilevel converter: Evaluation for staircase and phase-disposition PWM

  • Rosheila Darus
  • , Josep Pou
  • , Georgios Konstantinou
  • , Salvador Ceballos
  • , Vassilios G. Agelidis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper introduces a low complexity implementation of the voltage balancing sorting algorithm to reduce the switching frequency of the power devices in modular multilevel converters (MMCs). Two modulation techniques are evaluated; staircase modulation and phase-disposition pulse-width modulation (PD-PWM) under the conventional and the proposed algorithm. Using a circulating current controller in an MMC with 12 sub-modules per arm, PD-PWM yields better results compared to the staircase modulation technique. The test condition for this comparison is such that the power devices operate at a similar switching frequency and produce similar amplitudes to the capacitor voltage ripples in both modulation techniques. The results are verified through extensive simulations and experimentally using a phase-leg MMC laboratory prototype.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAPEC 2014 - 29th Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages255-260
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781479923250
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event29th Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2014 - Fort Worth, TX, United States
Duration: 16 Mar 201420 Mar 2014

Publication series

NameConference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC

Conference

Conference29th Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityFort Worth, TX
Period16/03/1420/03/14

Keywords

  • Capacitor voltage balancing
  • Modular multilevel converter
  • Modulation technique
  • Pulse-width modulation

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