A Push-Pull Series Connected Modular Multilevel Converter for HVDC Applications

Kaya, Mustafa; Costabeber, Alessandro; Watson, Alan J.; Tardelli, Francesco; Clare, Jon C.

Abstract

This article introduces a push-pull series connected (PPSC) ac-dc converter intended for high voltage direct current (HVDC) applications. The proposed topology requires fewer submodules compared to a standard modular multilevel converter (MMC) to withstand the same dc voltage. Each converter phase unit is connected to its corresponding phase on the ac side via a centre-tapped single-phase transformer which also provides the galvanic isolation needed in most applications. The required arm inductance can be merged into the transformer leakage inductance avoiding the need for additional inductors. In this paper, both the design and operation of the converter are discussed in detail. Furthermore, a comparison of the PPSC and MMC in terms of energy storage requirements and efficiency is presented. The converter concept and the control strategy proposed is validated by computer simulations using the PLECS simulation package as well through experiments on a small-scale, 300V, 2kW laboratory prototype.

Citation

Kaya, M., Costabeber, A., Watson, A. J., Tardelli, F., & Clare, J. C. (2022). A Push-Pull Series Connected Modular Multilevel Converter for HVDC Applications. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 37(3), 3111 - 3129. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2021.3115338

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 12, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 24, 2021
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2024
• Journal: IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
• Print ISSN: 0885-8993
• Electronic ISSN: 1941-0107
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 3111 - 3129
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2021.3115338
• Keywords: Voltage , Inductors , HVDC transmission , Capacitors , Bridge circuits , Topology , Mathematical models
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6350300
• Publisher URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9547732