A Grid-Connected Capacitor-Tapped Multimodule Converter for HVDC Applications: Operational Concept and Control

Ahmed A. Elserougi*, Ahmed M. Massoud, Shehab Ahmed

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, a dc-ac buck converter is proposed as a grid-side converter in high voltage dc (HVdc) transmission systems for high-power renewable energy source grid integration. The proposed architecture consists of multimodules of half-bridge voltage source converters (HB-VSCs). The dc terminals of the HB-VSCs are connected in series across the entire dc link (i.e., capacitor tapped), whereas their ac outputs are connected to multiwinding transformers to provide the three-phase terminals for ac grid integration. The proposed grid-connected capacitor-tapped multimodule converter (CT-MC) architecture, inspired from the HVdc shunt tap proposed by ABB, provides a dc-ac conversion with a relatively moderate voltage rating of semiconductor devices. It also provides operation with a lower number of semiconductor devices, gate driver circuits, voltage sensors, and lower total MVA rating of semiconductor devices (67%) compared with the conventional three-phase HB modular multilevel converter, which positively affects the system cost and reduces the computational burden of the employed controller. In this paper, the operational concept and control of the CT-MC are presented along with a capacitor voltage balancing approach. Simulation results are presented during normal and abnormal conditions to show the viability of the proposed architecture. Finally, a scaled down prototype for the CT-MC is employed to validate the converter operation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number8242661
Pages (from-to)5523-5535
Number of pages13
JournalIEEE Transactions on Industry Applications
Volume54
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2018

Keywords

  • AC integration
  • capacitor tapped
  • high voltage dc converters
  • multimodule converter
  • renewable energy sources

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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