Search results

The purpose of this paper is to describe the control and regulation of input DC voltages of nine‐level neutral point clamping (NPC) voltage source inverter (VSI).

The analysis and simulation of a cascade made up of three‐phase five‐level PWM rectifier‐nine levels NPC VSI are treated. This cascade is used to feed a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) drive. First, the five‐level PWM rectifier is presented. Then a topology of nine‐level NPC VSI and the associated PWM control strategy are described. In order to discard the problem of DC link voltage fluctuations, a clamping bridge with a PI regulation has been added to the cascade. Then a field‐oriented control strategy has been implemented in the PMSM.

The obtained results are full of promise to use the inverter in high voltage and great power applications such as electric naval propulsion systems.

The application of the proposed feedback control algorithm to the studied cascade offers the possibility of stabilizing the DC voltages. The studied cascade absorbs network currents with low‐harmonic content and unity power factor. In all, the instability problems associated with use of multilevel inverters are solved.

Five-level rectifiers have received widespread attention because of their excellent performance in high-voltage and high-power applications. Taking a five-level rectifier with only four-IGBT for this study, a sliding mode predictive control (SMPC) algorithm is proposed to solve the problem of poor dynamic performance and poor anti-disturbance ability under the traditional model predictive control with the PI outer loop.

First, mathematical models under the two-phase stationary coordinate system and two-phase synchronous rotating coordinate system are established. Then, the design of the outer-loop sliding mode controller is completed by establishing the sliding mode surface and design approach rate. The design of the inner-loop model predictive controller was completed by discretizing the mathematical model equations. The modulation part uses a space vector modulation technique to generate the PWM wave.

The sliding mode predictive control strategy is compared with the control strategy with a PI outer loop and a model predictive inner loop. The proposed control strategy has a faster dynamic response and stronger anti-interference ability.

For the five-level rectifier, the advantages of fast dynamic influence and parameter insensitivity of sliding mode control are used in the voltage outer loop to replace the traditional PI control, and which is integrated with the model predictive control used in the current inner loop to form a novel control strategy with a faster dynamic response and stronger immunity to disturbances. This novel strategy is called sliding mode predictive control (SMC).

This paper presents real time hardware implementation of DSP based 180 degree control algorithm and MATLAB SIMULINK based software Implementation for 3-phase 4-leg IGBT based voltage source inverter. Triggering pulses generated using Texas Instruments TMS 320F28335 DSP controller and that triggers the 6 IGBTs of Voltage source inverter. Results of pulse generated using DSP and output of the Voltage source inverter were captured using Digital Storage Oscilloscope. FFT analysis for output signal of software and hardware implementation presented with the analysis.

The active power filter with two-level inverter needs a high-rating coupling transformer for high-power applications. This complicates the control and system becomes bulky and expensive. The purpose of this paper is to motivate the use of multilevel inverter as harmonic filter, which eliminates the coupling transformer and allows direct control of the power circuit. The advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) for computation is explored for controller design.

The proposed scheme has a five-level cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter (CHBMLI) as a harmonic filter. The control scheme includes one neural network controller and two fuzzy logic-based controllers for harmonic extraction, dc capacitor voltage balancing, and compensating current adjustment, respectively. The topology is modeled in MATLAB/SIMULINK and implemented using dSPACE DS1103 interface for experimentation.

The exhaustive simulation and experimental results demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed topology and controllers for harmonic minimization for RL/RC load and change in load. The comparison between traditional PI controller and proposed AI-based controller is presented. It indicates that the AI-based controller is fast, dynamic, and adaptive to accommodate the changes in load. The total harmonic distortion obtained by applying AI-based controllers are well within the IEEE519 std. limits.

The simulation of high-power, medium-voltage system is presented and a downscaled prototype is designed and developed for implementation. The laboratory module of CHBMLI-based harmonic filter and AI-based controllers modeled in SIMULINK is executed using dSPACE DS1103 interface through real time workshop.

Power‐electronic systems have been playing a significant role in the integration of large‐scale wind turbines into power systems due to the fact that during the past three decades power‐electronic technology has experienced a dramatic evolution. This second part of the paper aims to focus on a comprehensive survey of power converters and their associated control systems for high‐power wind energy generation applications.

Advanced control strategies, i.e. field‐oriented vector control and direct power control, are initially reviewed for wind‐turbine driven doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) systems. Various topologies of power converters, comprising back‐to‐back (BTB) connected two‐ and multi‐level voltage source converters (VSCs), BTB current source converters (CSCs) and matrix converters, are identified for high‐power wind‐turbine driven PMSG systems, with their respective features and challenges outlined. Finally, several control issues, viz., basic control targets, active damping control and sensorless control schemes, are elaborated for the machine‐ and grid‐side converters of PMSG wind generation systems.

For high‐power PMSG‐based wind turbines ranging from 3 MW to 5 MW, parallel‐connected 2‐level LV BTB VSCs are the most cost‐effective converter topology with mature commercial products, particularly for dual 3‐phase stator‐winding PMSG generation systems. For higher‐capacity wind‐turbine driven PMSGs rated from 5 MW to 10 MW, medium voltage multi‐level converters, such as 5‐level regenerative CHB, 3‐ and 4‐level FC BTB VSC, and 3‐level BTB VSC, are preferred. Among them, 3‐level BTB NPC topology is the favorite with well‐proven technology and industrial applications, which can also be extensively applicable with open‐end winding and dual stator‐winding PMSGs so as to create even higher voltage/power wind generation systems. Sensorless control algorithms based on fundamental voltages/currents are suggested to be employed in the basic VC/DPC schemes for enhancing the robustness in the entire PMSG‐based wind power generation system, due to that the problems related with electromagnetic interferences in the position signals and the failures in the mechanical encoders can be avoided.

This second part of the paper for the first time systematically reviews the latest state of arts with regard to power converters and their associated advanced control strategies for high‐power wind energy generation applications. It summarizes a variety of converter topologies with pros and cons highlighted for different power ratings of wind turbines.

The main purpose of this paper is to select appropriate voltage vectors in the switching techniques and, by selecting the proper voltage vectors, be able to achieve a DC link with the same outputs and a symmetric multi-level inverter.

The proposed structure, a two-stage DC–AC symmetric multi-level inverter with modified Model Predictive Control (MMPC) method, is presented for Photovoltaic (PV) applications. The voltage of DC-link capacitors of the boost converter is controlled by MMPC control method to select appropriate switching vectors for the multi-level inverter. The proposed structure is provided for single-phase power system, which increases 65 V input voltage to 220 V/50 Hz output voltage, with 400 V DC link. Simulation results of proposed structure with MMPC method are carried out by PSCAD/EMTDC software.

Based on the proposed structure and control method, total harmonic distortion (THD) reduces, which leads to lower power losses and higher circuit reliability. In addition, reducing the number of active switches in current path causes to lower voltage stress on the switches, lower PV leakage current and higher overall efficiency.

In the proposed structure, a new control method is presented that can make a symmetric five-level voltage with lower THD by selecting proper switching for PV applications.

Traditional level inverter technology has drawbacks in the aspect of Total harmonic distortion (THD) and switching losses for higher frequencies. Due to these drawbacks, two-level inverters have become unprofitable for high-power applications. Multilevel inverters (MLIs) are used to enhance the output waveform characteristics (i.e. low THD) and to offer various inverter topologies and switching methods.

MLIs are upgraded versions of two-level inverters that offer more output levels in current and voltage waveforms while lowering the dv/dt and di/dt ratios. This paper aims to review and compare the different topologies of MLI used in high-power applications. Single and multisource MLI's working principal and switching states for each topology are demonstrated and compared. A Simulink model system integrated using detailed circuit simulations in developed in MATLAB®–Simulink program. In this system, a constant voltage source connected to MLI to feed asynchronous motor with squirrel cage rotor type is used to demonstrate the efficacy of the MLI under different varying speed and torque conditions.

MLI has presented better control and good range of system parameters than two-level inverter. It is suggested that the MLIs like cascade-five-level and NPC-five-level have shown low current harmonics of around 0.43% and 1.87%, respectively, compared to two-level inverter showing 5.82%.

This study is the first of its kind comparing the different topologies of single and multisource MLIs. This study suggests that the MLIs are more suitable for high-power applications.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a mathematical model for voltage super-lift dc-dc power converter in continuous conduction mode (CCM). Using the presented mathematical model, the analysis of dynamics of power stage for voltage super-lift dc-dc power converter can be performed.

The proposed method is based on the average state space model using the state equations of the dc-dc power converter. In the proposed method, the converter is represented as a set of differential equations derived for each switching state of the power switch in terms of inductor current and capacitor voltage. The proposed method describes the dynamic behaviour of the system. The controller is designed to meet performance requirement of the system such as to maintain the dynamics such as stability, steady-state accuracy and the speed of response of the system. Using the obtained model, the analysis of dynamic response of the voltage super-lift dc-dc power converter can be performed.

The converter is modelled and verified using conventional circuit analysis method employing state-space averaging technique, and their corresponding transfer function is also derived. The dynamics of the converter is investigated using frequency response characteristics obtained using MATLAB programming environment. In addition, to improve the stability of the converter, proportional-integral controller is designed using Ziegler–Nichols tuning rules, and the effect of the compensator in the plant is also investigated.

The proposed method can be used for analysing the dynamics of power stage for voltage super-lift DC-DC power converter.

This study aims to propose a mathematical model for stacked multicell converters (SMCs), to be exploited in the analytic determination of natural voltage balancing dynamics of the flying-capacitor (FC) stacked multicell multilevel converters, i.e. investigations of the start-up behavior, dynamic response, and natural voltage balancing phenomenon.

The crux of the proposed strategy is based on the closed-form analytic solution derivation for the switching functions used in the switching of the SMCs operated under phase disposition (PD) and phase shifted carrier (PSC) pulse width modulation (PD-PSC-PWM) technique. Hence, the suggested approach develops an analytic solution for the Fourier series and associated Fourier coefficients pertinent to the switching functions of the SMCs by obtaining the switching instants of the PD-PSC-PWM modulator in terms of Kapteyn series when the frequency of the triangular carrier waveform (fc) and that of the sinusoidal reference waveform (fr) have an integer ratio, i.e. f _c  · f _r −1=k, k∈N.

This approach results into a model, first order differential equation based model, which can be readily developed for the SMCs with any number of levels expediting the investigation of their performance. Furthermore, by an experimental scrutiny conducted on a 4×2-cell-nine-level topology of an SMC, it is inferred that under PD-PSC-PWM modulation technique, FC voltages balance naturally for higher number of stacks and cells, therefore the natural balancing exist for high-level SMCs.

Despite the sophistication of the proposed methodology and mathematical model, this study presents an alternative approach with high potential of applicability for derivation of the multilevel converter mathematical model exploiting the Kapteyn (Bessel-Fourier) series.

Numeric computation results of the proposed analytic model for the SMCs and the simulation results as well as investigational measurements taken from 2×2-cell-five-level and 4×2-cell-nine-level experimental set-ups are presented in order to substantiate the suggested approach, derived model, and verification of natural balancing.

This article and its innovations are original.

Wind energy has matured to a level of development at which it is ready to become a generally accepted power generation technology. The aim of this paper is to provide a brief review of the state of the art in the area of electrical machines and power‐electronic systems for high‐power wind energy generation applications. As the first part of this paper, latest market penetration, current technology and advanced electrical machines are addressed.

After a short description of the latest market penetration of wind turbines with various topologies globally by the end of 2010 is provided, current wind power technology, including a variety of fixed‐ and variable‐speed (in particular with doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG) and permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) supplied with partial‐ and full‐power converters, respectively) wind power generation systems, and modern grid codes, is presented. Finally, four advanced electrical‐machine systems, viz., brushless DFIG, open winding PMSG, dual/multi 3‐phase stator‐winding PMSG and magnetic‐gear outer‐rotor PMSG, are identified with their respective merits and challenges for future high‐power wind energy applications.

For the time being, the gear‐drive DFIG‐based wind turbine is significantly dominating the markets despite its defect caused by mechanical gears, slip rings and brush sets. Meanwhile, direct‐drive synchronous generator, especially utilizing permanent magnets on its rotor, supplied with a full‐capacity power converter has become a more effective solution, particularly in high‐power offshore wind farm applications.

This first part of the paper reviews the latest market penetration of wind turbines with a variety of mature topologies, by summarizing their advantages and disadvantages. Four advanced electrical‐machine systems are selected and identified by distinguishing their respective merits and challenges for future high‐power wind energy applications.