Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A novel submodule-based modular multilevel converter to minimize the magnitude of circulating current and to balance the capacitor voltage

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Electrical Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The capacitor voltage unbalancing is the common problem in modular multilevel converter. This problem occurs even at the fundamental frequency due to the modulation technique which generates the unequal periods of the gate signals. To reduce this problem, this paper introduced a new submodule (SM)-based modular multilevel converter (MMC). The proposed MMC can generate the 2N + 1 level at the load side. By properly controlling the arm current of the converter, DC capacitor voltage in each submodule is balanced at its base voltage and improves the circulating current during unequal periods of the gate signals without using controller. This paper presents the performance of new submodule-based modular multilevel converter. Finally, the proposed converter is compared with the conventional modular multilevel converter topologies with and without third harmonic injection method. Further the proposed structure and presented techniques have been simulated in the MATLAB/SIMULINK, and the practical implementation has been done using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

V dc :

DC link voltage

C :

Conventional submodule capacitor

ω :

Angular frequency

V m :

Amplitude of output voltage

V xu :

Upper arm voltage

V xl :

Lower arm voltage

V 2r :

Second-order ripple voltage

I xu :

Upper arm current

I xl :

Lower arm current

V xj :

Voltage across Cx

V 1 :

Charging voltage

P xu :

Upper arm power

I dc :

DC link current

C xj and C yj :

Novel submodule capacitors

V C :

Voltage across the capacitor “C”

\({I}_{2\mathrm{h}}^{*}\) :

Reference 2nd harmonic current

S ia , S ib and S ic :

Novel submodule switches

I 2h :

Second-order harmonic current

L a :

Upper arm inductance

L b :

Lower arm inductance

I o :

Load current/output current

I cir :

Circulating current

V yj :

Voltage across Cy

V 2 :

Discharging voltage

P xl :

Lower arm power

I m :

Magnitude of load current

References

  1. Ayari M, Belhaouane MM, Guillaud X, Braiek NB (2018) Global advanced control strategy for modular multilevel converter integrated in a HVDC link. Int Trans Electr Energy Syst 28(4):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/etep.2511

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Vanaja DS, Stonier AA, Mani G, Murugesan S (2022) Investigation and validation of solar photovoltaic-fed modular multilevel inverter for marine water-pumping applications. Electr Eng 104(3):1163–1178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-021-01370-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Júnior PRM, Farias JVM, Cupertino AF, Pereira HA, Stopa MM, de Resende JT (2020) Redundancy and derating strategies for modular multilevel converter for an electric drive. J Control Autom Electr Syst 31(2):339–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40313-019-00537-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Reddy VVP, Suryawanshi HM, Nachankar PP, Talapur GG, Ballal MS (2020) Modular-structured resonant converter for multilevel converters in micro grids. Int J Circuit Theory Appl 48(1):134–147. https://doi.org/10.1002/cta.2716

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Barkati S, Berkouk EM, Boucherit MS (2008) Application of type-2 fuzzy logic controller to an induction motor drive with seven-level diode-clamped inverter and controlled infeed. Electr Eng 90(5):347–359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-007-0087-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bagheri Hashkavayi M, Barakati SM, Torabi SH, Barahouei V (2023) An improved method to sub-module voltage balancing in modular multilevel converters with two voltage sensors”. Int J Circuit Theory Appl. https://doi.org/10.1002/cta.3588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Muthavarapu AK, Anjana KG, Biswas J, Barai M (2022) A reconfigurable integrated level shifted carrier based PWM method for modular multilevel converters. IEEJ Trans Electr Electron Eng 17(8):1148–1159. https://doi.org/10.1002/tee.23606

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Luo L, Zhang Y, Jia L, Yang N (2018) Capacitor voltage balancing method for modified modular multilevel converter. IEEJ Trans Electr Electron Eng 13(8):1142–1152. https://doi.org/10.1002/tee.22677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Kadandani NB, Dahidah M, Ethni S, Muhammad M (2021) Lifetime and reliability improvements in modular multilevel converters using controlled circulating current. J Power Electron 21(10):1611–1620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43236-021-00297-7

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ma K, Li E, Yang Y, Cai X (2021) Control and design for mission profile emulator of individual submodule in CPS-PWM-based modular multilevel converter. IEEE J Emerg Sel Top Power Electron 9(3):3530–3539. https://doi.org/10.1109/JESTPE.2020.3037815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Zabihinejad A, Viarouge P (2018) Optimal design of high-power modular multilevel active front-end converter using an innovative analytical model. IEEE Trans Plasma Sci 46(10):3417–3426. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.2018.2844352

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hu P, Teodorescu R, Wang S, Li S, Guerrero JM (2019) A currentless sorting and selection-based capacitor-voltage-balancing method for modular multilevel converters. IEEE Trans Power Electron 34(2):1022–1025. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2018.2850360

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. Deng F, Liu C, Wang Q, Zhu R, Cai X, Chen Z (2020) A currentless submodule individual voltage balancing control for modular multilevel converters. IEEE Trans Ind Electron 67(11):9370–9382. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2019.2952808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Li W, Dong Y, Tang J, Yang H, He X (2019) Capacitor voltage balance control of hybrid modular multilevel converters with second- order circulating current injection. IEEE J Emerg Sel Top Power Electron 7(1):157–167. https://doi.org/10.1109/JESTPE.2018.2879915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Zhang Y, Zhang J, Deng F, Xu Z, Zhao J (2021) Hybrid modular multilevel converter with self-balancing structure. IEEE Trans Ind Appl 57(5):5039–5051. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2021.3087669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Vasiladiotis M, Cherix N, Rufer A (2014) Accurate capacitor voltage ripple estimation and current control considerations for grid-connected modular multilevel converters. IEEE Trans Power Electron 29(9):4568–4579. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2013.2286293

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Zhou W et al (2016) Common-mode voltage injection-based nearest level modulation with loss reduction for modular multilevel converters. IET Renew Power Gener 10(6):798–806. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-rpg.2015.0438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Huang M, Zou J, Ma X, Li Y, Han M (2019) Modified modular multilevel converter to reduce submodule capacitor voltage ripples without common-mode voltage injected. IEEE Trans Ind Electron 66(3):2236–2246. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2018.2840484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Du S, Wu B, Zargari NR (2019) Current stress reduction for flying-capacitor modular multilevel converter. IEEE Trans Power Electron 34(1):184–191. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2018.2827947

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  20. Wang L, Zhang L, Xiong Y, Ma R (2021) Low-frequency suppression strategy based on predictive control model for modular multilevel converters. J Power Electron 21(10):1407–1415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43236-021-00286-w

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. Huang M, Kang Z, Li W, Zou J, Ma X, Li J (2021) Modified modular multilevel converter with third-order harmonic voltage injection to reduce submodule capacitor voltage ripples. IEEE Trans Power Electron 36(6):7074–7086. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2020.3035286

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. Yang W, Yao F, Zhou Y (2022) Voltage ripple suppression methods for the capacitor in modular multilevel converter submodules employing a reversed pulse width modulation-switching channel. Electron. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11142193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Isik S, Alharbi M, Bhattacharya S (2021) An optimized circulating current control method based on PR and PI controller for MMC applications. IEEE Trans Ind Appl 57(5):5074–5085. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2021.3092298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Sheybanifar A, Barakati SM, Torabi SH, Yousofi-Darmian S, Barahouei V (2021) Improved model predictive control for modular multilevel converter with reduced voltage sensors based on Kalman filter. Int Trans Electr Energy Syst 31(12):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/2050-7038.13199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Yang Q, Saeedifard M, Perez MA (2019) Sliding mode control of the modular multilevel converter. IEEE Trans Ind Electron 66(2):887–897. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2018.2818657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Ahmadijokani M, Mehrasa M, Sleiman M, Sharifzadeh M, Sheikholeslami A, Al-Haddad K (2021) A back-stepping control method for modular multilevel converters. IEEE Trans Ind Electron 68(1):443–453. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2019.2962455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ewanchuk J, Salmon J (2014) A modular balancing bridge for series connected voltage sources. IEEE Trans Power Electron 29(9):4712–4722. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2013.2286524

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  28. Shu H, Lei S, Tian X (2019) A new topology of modular multilevel converter with voltage self-balancing ability. IEEE Access 7:184786–184796. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2958857

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Gao C, Lv J (2017) A new parallel-connected diode-clamped modular multilevel converter with voltage self-balancing. IEEE Trans Power Deliv 32(3):1616–1625. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRD.2017.2670662

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. Zheng T et al (2021) A novel Z-type modular multilevel converter with capacitor voltage self-balancing for grid-tied applications. IEEE Trans Power Electron 36(2):1399–1411. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2020.2997991

    Article  MathSciNet  ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. Ali S, Soomro JB, Mughal M, Chachar FA, Bukhari SSH, Ro JS (2020) Power quality improvement in HVDC MMC with modified nearest level control in real-time HIL based setup. IEEE Access. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3043811

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Gobburi HB, Borghate VB, Meshram PM (2022) A level enhanced voltage balancing method for modular multilevel converter without using sensors. Int J Circuit Theory Appl. https://doi.org/10.1002/cta.3522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Perez-Basante A et al (2020) Circulating current control for modular multilevel converters with (N+1) selective harmonic elimination-PWM. IEEE Trans Power Electron 35(8):8712–8725. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2020.2964522

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. Sarker R, Datta A, Debnath S (2022) An improved multicarrier PWM (MCPWM) technique with a new harmonic mitigation strategy for cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter applications. IEEE Trans Ind Informatics 18(3):1500–1510. https://doi.org/10.1109/TII.2021.3087458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Muthavarapu AK, Biswas J, Barai M (2022) An efficient sorting algorithm for capacitor voltage balance of modular multilevel converter with space vector pulsewidth modulation. IEEE Trans Power Electron 37(8):9254–9265. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2022.3160665

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  36. Chakraborty S, Maiti S (2019) A novel modular multilevel converter for medium voltage variable speed induction motor drives. IECON Proc Industrial Electron Conf 6049–6054:2019. https://doi.org/10.1109/IECON.2019.8927530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Zhao C, Luan K, Zhang H, Li Z, Wang P, Li Y (2020) Enhancement of ZSVI by circulating current injection for full-bridge MMC with low energy storage requirements. IEEE J Emerg Sel Top Power Electron 8(4):4075–4085. https://doi.org/10.1109/JESTPE.2019.2927690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Li S, Li P, Zheng Z, Huang T (2023) Fractional order sliding mode control for circulating current suppressing of MMC. Electr Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-023-01902-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. de Sousa RO, Cupertino AF, Farias JVM, Pereira HA (2023) Modulation strategy impact on the energy storage requirements of modular multilevel converter-based STATCOM. J Control Autom Electr Syst. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40313-023-01003-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Gobburi HB, Borghate VB, Meshram PM (2022) Sensorless voltage balancing method for modular multilevel converter. Int J Circuit Theory Appl 50(6):1965–1997. https://doi.org/10.1002/cta.3241

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electrical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 788010, India

    Ramudu Ganji & Jiwanjot Singh

Authors
  1. Ramudu Ganji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jiwanjot Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Ramudu Ganji wrote the entire manuscript (title, abstract, text, figures, simulation and HIL Test results and conclusion) under the supervision of Jiwanjot Singh.All authors contributed to the editing and proofreading of this paper

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ramudu Ganji.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ganji, R., Singh, J. A novel submodule-based modular multilevel converter to minimize the magnitude of circulating current and to balance the capacitor voltage. Electr Eng 106, 727–740 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-023-02016-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-023-02016-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation