Submodule power losses balancing algorithms for the modular multilevel converter

R. Picas, J. Pou, J. Zaragoza, A. Watson, G. Konstantinou, S. Ceballos, J. Clare

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

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Tolerance and component aging can cause significant differences in the capacitance values of the submodules (SMs) in a modular multilevel converter (MMC). Depending on the modulation technique, capacitance mismatches may produce uneven switching transitions of the SMs, hence imbalances in the power losses that can lead to reliability problems. In this paper, a new algorithm that helps to achieve evenly distributed switching and conduction losses within the converter SMs is presented. The proposed algorithm is based on a modification of the common voltage balancing algorithms, balancing a weighted function of voltage and losses. Even distribution of power losses is achieved at the cost of slightly increasing the capacitor voltage ripples. The effectiveness of the strategy has been demonstrated by simulation results of a high-power grid-connected MMC.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the IECON 2016 - 42nd Annual Conference of the Industrial Electronics Society
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages5064-5069
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781509034741
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Dec 2016
Event42nd Conference of the Industrial Electronics Society, IECON 2016 - Florence, Italy
Duration: 24 Oct 201627 Oct 2016

Publication series

NameIECON Proceedings (Industrial Electronics Conference)

Conference

Conference42nd Conference of the Industrial Electronics Society, IECON 2016
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFlorence
Period24/10/1627/10/16

Keywords

  • Capacitor voltage ripples
  • Modular multilevel converter
  • Power losses
  • Reliability improvement

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