M. Di Monaco

High Performance Digital Hysteresis Control for Single Source Cascaded Inverters

A digital modulation technique for cascaded inverters, which allows achieving high performance with low power losses, is proposed in this paper. It consists in a variable slope-fixed band current hysteresis control applied to a cascaded voltage source inverter structure, fed by a single dc source. The proposed technique can be used to supply ac motors, as well as generic ac loads. A considerable reduction of the switching losses is achieved, without increasing the total harmonic distortion on the load side. This result has been validated by means of a preliminary numeric analysis and confirmed by an experiment implementation.

Three-Phase Three-Level active NPC converters for high power systems

In last years the multilevel converter topologies have gained much attention both in the field of scientific research and in the one of high power applications. This paper proposes a comparative analysis between the classical structure of Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) converter and the emerging Active NPC converter. In particular, numerical analysis of losses distribution among power devices for some known carrier based PWM techniques are reported in the case of ANPC topology. Furthermore, experimental results concerning the design and the implementation of a Three-Phase Three-Level ANPC converter are analysed.

Dual inverter for high efficiency PV systems

In this paper, a new power converter topology for photovoltaic (PV) systems is proposed. This solution, based on a dual converter topology, allows to increase the performance of the PV systems in terms of efficiency with respect to a classical conversion system.

Power Control for Fuel-Cell–Supercapacitor Traction Drive

This paper presents a fuel cell (FC)-supercapacitor traction drive and its power control. The proposed solution allows increasing efficiency and performances of an FC-based powertrain by means of a dual cascaded voltage source inverter and a supercapacitor bank. An optimal control algorithm allows avoiding the fast transition of the FC output power under whatever operating condition. It is based on five operation modes, which are selected as a function of the actual traction power request. This way, both power peaks and slopes are controlled during vehicle accelerations. A supercapacitor charge stabilization strategy, which uses the same cascaded converter power circuit, is also proposed. Experimental implementation has been performed for validation.

High performance power converter for combined batteries-supercapacitor systems

In this paper the control of dual cascaded voltage source inverter applied to traction drives is presented. It allows to manage the power flows from and to two separate energy storage units: batteries and supercapacitors. A novel control is proposed, which allows to recharge the supercapacitors also during the normal runs of the vehicle, without overloading the batteries and with no additional power equipments. An experimental implementation confirms the validity of the proposed control algorithm and set-up.

Fuel cell based traction drive with supercapacitor power boost control

A fuel cell based traction drive and its control are presented. Dual cascaded voltage source inverter and supercapacitor bank allow to increase performances and efficiency. The proposed control allows to optimize the power flow from the two sources in whatever operating condition. Because the supercapacitor system cannot be normally recharged completely in case of asymmetric duty cycle of the vehicle, a novel modulation strategy for the energy stabilization of the supercapacitor is also proposed. It allows to recharge the supercapacitor during regenerative breakings but also in the normal run and stop of the drive without any additional power converter. The validity of the proposed control has been confirmed by the experimental implementation.

Motor Side Active Filter (MSAF)

Motor side active filter (MSAF) is a novel solution for high performances or high power motor drives. It is based on the parallel connection of two or more voltage source inverter (VSI) controlled with an active filtering approach. In this way an optimized power sharing can be performed. This approach can be used to improve the converter efficiency in application where either high power or high switching frequency is required. In this paper special attention is paid to the hardware implementation of the MSAF on a low cost and high performances FPGA (field programmable gate array) based control system. Experimental results are given and discusses.

Dead time and non-linearities compensation for CHB multi-level converters with integrated ESS feeding EV's ultra-fast charging stations

This paper deals with a compensation technique for non-linear behaviour of single phase modular multi-level power converter, feeding electric vehicle fast charging station with split integrated energy storage system. The proposed method calculates the voltage compensation on the basis of the error between the reference and the real currents. It allows highly improving the harmonic content of the grid current in steady-state conditions within a single period of fundamental.

Multi-source power converter system for EV charging station with integrated ESS

This paper deals with the optimal sizing and power flow control for grid-connected multi-source power converter system for EV charging infrastructure with integrated energy storage system. The sizing of the power conversion system is based on cost-benefit analysis which takes into account several factors to define the e-mobility scenario and different topologies of power conversion units. The proposed solution allows minimizing the impact of EV charging processes on the electric grid as well as their cost by means of suitable use of a renewable source and an energy storage system.

Multi inverter electrical drive for double motor electric vehicles

A novel multi-inverter power converter for double motor electric vehicles is presented in this paper. Thanks to a supercapacitor auxiliary storage unit and to a suitable control algorithm, the proposed setup allows to optimize the vehicle performances in terms of traction control and power flow.