Vijay B. Borghate

A Simplified Nearest Level Control (NLC) Voltage Balancing Method for Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)

In this paper, a simplified nearest level control balancing method for modular multilevel converter is presented. The proposed method neither requires individual sorting of the submodule voltages nor the redundancy of the switching states. Once the sorting of the submodules is done on the basis of the number of the submodules to be switched on, the identifications of the submodules can be carried out throughout the stages of the implementation of the this method. The proposed method also does not require the individual submodule status in the gate pulse generation stage. The gate logic in the presented method can be implemented with the help of the switching states of the voltage levels. Those simplifications and removing of the some of the stages by the proposed balancing method may ease and lead to the less processor time at the implementation level. The pictorial presentation further helps in consolidating the understanding of the different stages of the method. Rigorous simulations are carried out for open and one of the prominent closed-loop applications, i.e., modular multilevel converter-based high-voltage direct current to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed simplified balancing method under normal and emergency conditions.

Unity-Power-Factor Operation of Three-Phase AC–DC Soft Switched Converter Based On Boost Active Clamp Topology in Modular Approach

In this paper, a three-phase ac-dc converter using three single-phase pulse width modulated active clamped, zero-voltage-switched boost converter in modular approach is presented. The active clamp technique is used for zero-voltage-switching of the main and auxiliary switches. The operating modes, analysis, and design considerations for the proposed converter are explained. To evaluate the performance of the proposed converter, finally simulation and experimental results for a 500-V, 1.5-kW prototype converter are presented. The proposed converter operates at almost unity power factor with reduced output filter size. The output voltage is regulated without affecting zero-voltage-switching, even under unbalanced three-phase input voltages.

A Three-Phase Hybrid Cascaded Modular Multilevel Inverter for Renewable Energy Environment

This paper presents a three-phase hybrid cascaded modular multilevel inverter topology which is derived from the proposed modified H-bridge module. This topology results in the reduction of number of power switches, losses, installation area, voltage stress and converter cost. For renewable energy environment such as photovoltaic (PV) connected to the microgrid system, it enables the tranformerless operation and enhances the power quality. This multilevel inverter is an effective and efficient power electronic interface strategy for renewable energy systems. The basic operation of single module and the proposed cascaded hybrid topology is explained. The ability to operate in both symmetrical and asymmetrical modes is analyzed. The comparative analysis is done with classical cascaded H-bridge and flying capacitor multilevel inverters. The nearest level control method is employed to generate the gating signals for the power semiconductor switches. To verify the applicability and performance of the proposed structure in PV renewable energy environment, simulation results are carried out by MATLAB/Simulink under both steady-state and dynamic conditions. Experimental results are presented to validate the simulation results.

High Power Factor Operation of a Three-Phase Rectifier for an Adjustable-Speed Drive

This paper presents a novel approach to improve the power factor (PF) and reduce the harmonics generated by an adjustable-speed drive (ASD). A high-frequency (HF) current injection technique is used to improve the PF and harmonic performance. The HF current at the same switching frequency (33 kHz) is injected into the input of a front-end rectifier from the output of an HF inverter. The main feature of the circuit is that it does not require any additional active devices for current injection. The inverter driving the induction motor is operated using a sinusoidal pulsewidth-modulation technique. The circuit simulation and experimental prototype results are presented for 67-hp (50 kW) and 3-hp three-phase induction motors, respectively.

Simplified Space Vector Modulation Techniques for Multilevel Inverters

This paper presents simplified techniques for the space vector modulation (SVM) of any n-level multilevel inverter. Three techniques have been presented to simplify the identification of the nearest three vectors to the reference vector. The first two techniques are based on resolving the multilevel inverter space vector diagram into appropriate two-level hexagons. This results in simplification of the multilevel SVM problem into a two-level SVM problem. The third technique is an algorithm-based technique which makes use of a 60°-spaced gh coordinate system to perform the SVM of a multilevel inverter. Switching sequence design for all the three techniques is presented with the aim of minimization of the device switching frequency. Simulation and experimental results have been provided to verify the feasibility of the proposed techniques. Simulation results are provided for up to 21-level cascaded H-bridge (CHB) inverters, while the experimental verification is done on a five-level laboratory prototype. Although only the CHB inverter is considered in this study, the proposed techniques are perfectly general and can be applied to all types of multilevel inverters, and are extendable to any number of levels.

A Modified Switched-Diode Topology for Cascaded Multilevel Inverters

In this paper, a single phase modified switched-diode topology for both symmetrical and asymmetrical cascaded multilevel inverters is presented. It consists of a Modified Switched-Diode Unit (MSDU) and a Twin Source Two Switch Unit (TSTSU) to produce distinct positive voltage levels according to the operating modes. An additional H-bridge synthesizes a voltage waveform, where the voltage levels of either polarity have less Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). Higher-level inverters can be built by cascading MSDUs. A comparative analysis is done with other topologies. The proposed topology results in reductions in the number of power switches, losses, installation area, voltage stress and converter cost. The Nearest Level Control (NLC) technique is employed to generate the gating signals for the power switches. To verify the performance of the proposed structure, simulation results are carried out by a PSIM under both steady state and dynamic conditions. Experimental results are presented to validate the simulation results.

Multilevel Inverter to Eliminate Common Mode Voltage in Induction Motor Drives

Common mode voltage (CMV) is responsible for premature failure of bearing of induction motor when supplied from fast switching devices. In this paper, five level diode clamped multilevel inverter is proposed to eliminate CMV by selecting specific switching states. In addition to eliminate CMV, proposed inverter reduces switching losses, dv/dt and gives high quality output. MATLAB simulation shows the validity of proposed scheme.

A novel voltage balancing method of Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)

The main problem in the new potential Modular Multilevel converter (MMC) topology for high and medium level is the voltage balancing of the capacitors of their sub modules. The novel balancing technique which is introduced in this paper based on sorting of the capacitor voltages. After sorting and detection of the arm current direction, neither require individual switch to get on nor require redundancy of the voltage levels to achieve voltage balance which is reported in the earlier publications. Rigorous MATLAB — Simulink simulation has been carried out for three level and seven levels with different parameters variations to validate the proposed technique.

Grid Interfaced Distributed Generation System With Modified Current Control Loop Using Adaptive Synchronization Technique

This paper presents real-time implementation of a grid interfaced distributed generation (DG) system with modified current control loop using three phase amplitude adaptive notch filter (AANF) based synchronization tool. A grid current feedback based modified

An asymmetrical multilevel inverter topology with reduced source count

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