Optimization of switching losses and capacitor voltage ripple using model predictive control of a cascaded H-bridge multi-level StatCom

Townsend, Christopher D.; Summers, Terence J.; Vodden, John Alan; Watson, Alan James; Betz, Robert E.; Clare, Jon C.

Abstract

This paper further develops a Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme which is able to exploit the large number of redundant switching states available in a multi-level H-bridge StatCom (H-StatCom). The new sections of the scheme provide optimised methods to trade off the harmonic performance with converter switching losses and capacitor voltage ripple. Varying the pulse placement within the modulation scheme and modifying the heuristic model of the voltage balancing characteristics allows the MPC scheme to achieve superior performance to that of the industry standard phase shifted carrier modulation technique. The effects of capacitor voltage ripple on the lifetime of the capacitors is also investigated. It is shown that the MPC scheme can reduce capacitor voltage ripple and increase capacitor lifetime. Simulation and experimental results are presented that confirm the correct operation of the control and modulation strategies.

Citation

Townsend, C. D., Summers, T. J., Vodden, J. A., Watson, A. J., Betz, R. E., & Clare, J. C. (2013). Optimization of switching losses and capacitor voltage ripple using model predictive control of a cascaded H-bridge multi-level StatCom. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 28(7), https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2012.2219593

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 2, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Dec 24, 2012
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2013
• Deposit Date: Jul 5, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 5, 2017
• Journal: IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
• Print ISSN: 0885-8993
• Electronic ISSN: 0885-8993
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 7
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2012.2219593
• Keywords: Multi-level converters, StatCom, voltage bal¬ancing, modulation strategy, control strategy
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/716052
• Publisher URL: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6307885/
• Additional Information: (c)2014 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/ republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted components of this work in other works.