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This paper presents a time-domain model of a MV/LV bidirectional solid state transformer (SST). A multilevel converter configuration of the SST MV side is obtained by cascading a single-phase cell made of the series connection of an H bridge and a dual active bridge (dc-dc converter); the aim is to configure a realistic SST design suitable for MV levels. A three-phase four-wire converter has been used for the LV side, allowing the connection of both load/generation. The SST model, including the corresponding controllers, has been built and encapsulated as a custom-made model in the ATP version of the EMTP for application in distribution system studies. Several case studies have been carried out in order to evaluate the behavior of the proposed SST design under different operating conditions and check its impact on power quality.

The modular multilevel converter-based high-voltage direct current (MMC-HVDC) transmission system has become a practical solution for interconnecting renewable energy sources to main AC grids. The MMC-HVDC has different parts, such as the converter, transmission system, and control system. The control system is the main part of the MMC-HVDC. Controlling the MMC-HVDC system is challenging due to various parameters, such as internal and external converter dynamics, transmission system configurations, and AC grid strength. This paper focuses on the control methods for internal and external converter control while considering grid strength. Firstly, an overview of the MMC topology, transmission system configurations, modeling, and AC–DC system strength will be presented. After that, the control methods for internal converter control and external converter control will be reviewed. This paper also highlights the features and drawbacks of each control loop. Finally, several comments and concluding remarks will be presented.

Ice covering on overhead transmission lines would cause damage to transmission system and long-term power outage. Among various de-icing devices, a modular multilevel converter based direct-current (DC)de-icer (MMC-DDI) is recognized as a promising solution due to its excellent technical performance. Its principle feasibility has been well studied, but only a small amount of literature discusses its economy or hardware optimization. To fill this gap, this paper presents a quantitative analysis and calculation on the converter characteristics of MMC-DDI. It reveals that, for a given DC de-icing requirement, the converter rating varies greatly with its alternating-current (AC) -side voltage, and it sometimes far exceeds the melting power. To reduce converter rating and improve its economy, an optimized configuration is proposed in which a proper transformer should be configured on the input AC-side of converter under certain conditions. This configuration is verified in an MMC-DDI for a 500 kV transmission line as a case study. The result shows, in the case of outputting the same de-icing characteristics, the optimized converter is reduced from 151 MVA to 68 MVA, and the total cost of the MMC-DDI system is reduced by 48%. This conclusion is conducive to the design optimization of multilevel DC de-icer and then to its engineering application.

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) based high voltage DC (HVDC) system can be effectively used for bulk power transmission. The MMC topology for the voltage source converter (VSC) has several advantages. In this work, the transformerless operation of MMC is explored. The internal dynamic of MMC can induce a third‐order zero‐sequence harmonic current. Its effect on the system is analysed, including the adverse impacts on energy requirement per arm and power transfer capability. The internal dynamic equations of the transformerless MMC configuration are derived, and two different controllers: the proportional‐resonant (PR) controller and proportional‐integral (PI) controller, were applied to suppress the unwanted third‐order current. The performance analysis of these controllers is presented and the results indicate that the controllers efficiently suppress the third‐order harmonic current. Moreover, the electromagnetic transient (EMT) models of MMC under different configurations have been developed on the real‐time digital simulator (RTDS) platform. An analysis of internal variables of the MMC is also included to ensure that the controller does not adversely affect the system. Lastly, the state‐space model is developed, and the stability is analysed.

Purpose This study aims to propose a modified topology for an asymmetric multilevel inverter as a basic module that generates 13-level output voltage waveform. The basic module consists of eight switches (unidirectional and bidirectional switch) and four DC voltage sources with unequal magnitudes. The proposed topology reduces the number of switches, isolated DC sources, cost and size of the circuit significantly as compared to other topologies. In addition, the proposed circuit provides a modular structure for a multilevel inverter. Design/methodology/approach The proposed configuration is implemented through simulation and hardware development of a single-phase 13-level inverter prototype. A multicarrier-based pulse width modulation scheme is adopted for generating switching signals by using dSPACE real-time controller. Findings To demonstrate the advantages of the proposed configuration, a comparative analysis is carried out with other multilevel topologies in terms of number of switches, gate driver circuits, on-state switches and blocking voltage on the switches. The comparison results confirmed that the proposed configuration requires less number of components for the same number of voltage levels. Moreover, the peak inverse voltage on switches and losses is lower in the proposed configuration. Originality/value In the available literature, numerous topologies are presented with main emphasis on the reduced components count. In this study, the authors proposed a new topology for an asymmetrical source configuration. The performance of the proposed topology under steady-state and dynamic conditions is evaluated using simulation and experimental implementation.

Multilevel voltage source converters (VSCs), such as modular multilevel converter (MMC), cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) and alternate arm converter (AAC), are competent topologies for battery energy storage systems (BESSs) due to modularity, scalability and low harmonic distortion. However, there is a lack of studies about interfacing AAC with a BESS due to the arm energy balancing issue. Redundant sub-modules (SMs) are inserted passively into MMC, CHB and AAC to achieve high reliability; consequently, some of them are constantly idling, resulting in low SM utilization. We propose a novel topology -T-shaped hybrid alternate arm converter (TSHAAC) for BESS applications. In addition to the aforementioned features, the proposed TSHAAC requires lower number of SMs than MMC and AAC, along with lower number of switches than CHB. Moreover, an adapted arm energy balancing control is proposed to take advantage of the redundant SMs that are idling to achieve faster balancing than in conventional AAC configuration. The simulation results validate the integration of TSHAAC configuration in a BESS; the adapted arm energy balancing control is able to improve the balancing duration by 27 %.

This paper focus on overvoltage protection and insulation coordination in Modular Multilevel Converter based HVDC system planning. An overvoltage protection scheme, which bases on the topology used inTransbay project by Siemens, is proposed in this paper. Thescheme draws fromthe characteristics of MMC-HVDC systems and the research results in classic HVDC systems, byplacing arresters at some key locations in the MMC-HVDC converter station.With this scheme, the overvoltage at those key pointscan be limitedto an acceptable range and hence protect the key equipment concerned. Since all the DC lines of the project are undersea cables, no lighting overvoltage is considered and 14 faults which could happen are carefully selected to serve as the verification conditions for the insulation design. Based on the PSCAD/EMTDC simulations and the deterministic method, the specified withstand voltage levels of the critical equipment in the converter station is calculated.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a new converter topology for integrating PV plants constituted by many panels into the grid. The converter is capable of implementing MPPT algorithms on different subset of modules and can balance the different energy supplied by panels differently irradiated. The output voltage presents a very low ripple also if small filters are used for grid connection. Design/methodology/approach – In the paper, at first the converter configuration is presented. Then a control strategy for obtaining, at the same time the distributed MPPT and the power balancing on the three phases is proposed. Finally, by means of numerical simulations, the good performances of the proposed converter are shown. Findings – The proposed converter, lent from MMC configurations, is deeply studied and a suitable control strategy is well analyzed in the paper. Analytical model for voltage and current balancing are given. Research limitations/implications – The analysis presented in the paper complete some studies started in the last years and partially presented in previous scientific papers. It reaches a final point and gives all the specific for the realization of the converter and of its control. Practical implications – The paper gives all the instrument to design and realize a PV power plant integrated into building façade. Originality/value – The converter and the control for voltage and current balancing presented in this paper represent a significant original contribution of this work.

For bulk power transmission high voltage direct current schemes based on modular multilevel converter technology offer a high flexibility and reliability. This is especially valid, if bipolar schemes with dedicated metallic return or rigid bipolar configurations are utilized. In case of the latter configuration a floating neutral bus between positive and negative converter exists at one terminal. Therefore, new challenges in control and system design arise. While bipolar configurations with dedicated metallic return are well studied, investigations on the rigid bipolar configuration have been rarely addressed in literature. This paper presents the main differences as well as characteristic control and balancing aspects of the rigid bipolar configuration.

This paper presents a study on evaluating the power transfer capability of a novel hybrid cascaded modular multilevel voltage source converter topology. The configuration utilizes third harmonic injection to enable reactive power compensation by varying the ac side converter voltage in the presence of constant dc side voltage. The maximum converter voltage is determined by the number and rating of submodules and triplen harmonic compensation whereas the maximum allowable steady current through the converter determines its MVA rating. These constraints must be considered in determining the maximum power transfer capability of this converter configuration, connected to strong and weak ac buses. Further the reactive power required to be supplied by the converter under this condition is evaluated for these different system strengths. Results obtained from a developed ElectroMagnetic Transient (EMT) simulation model are presented in this paper, for validation of the theoretical calculations.