Enhanced Voltage Injection Control for Capacitor Voltage Balancing of MMC Under Low-Frequency Operation

Seung Yong Lee, Shenghui Cui, Jae Jung Jung

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In this study, a control approach is presented that is designed for the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) to drive low frequency AC devices, such as motors that run at low speeds. The main objective is to improve the converter's dynamic performance, which is crucial for stable operation of motor drives. Theoretical analysis suggests that energy balance in cell capacitors used in motor drive applications may lead to instability during startup and low-frequency operation. Furthermore, the capacitors' energy pulsation is inversely proportional to the output frequency, resulting in significant pulsation at low frequency. Therefore, effective MMC operation requires advanced energy balancing techniques to reduce voltage fluctuations in individual cell capacitors. This paper introduces an enhanced strategy that injects leg offset voltage for low-frequency MMC operation, which is more efficient than existing methods. The proposed approach is evaluated through simulation with a low-frequency MMC output, and the results demonstrate its effectiveness by comparing and analyzing the size of the capacitor voltage ripple before and after the control is applied.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationICPE 2023-ECCE Asia - 11th International Conference on Power Electronics - ECCE Asia
Subtitle of host publicationGreen World with Power Electronics
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages2643-2648
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9788957083505
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Event11th International Conference on Power Electronics - ECCE Asia, ICPE 2023-ECCE Asia - Jeju, Korea, Republic of
Duration: 22 May 202325 May 2023

Publication series

NameICPE 2023-ECCE Asia - 11th International Conference on Power Electronics - ECCE Asia: Green World with Power Electronics

Conference

Conference11th International Conference on Power Electronics - ECCE Asia, ICPE 2023-ECCE Asia
Country/TerritoryKorea, Republic of
CityJeju
Period22/05/2325/05/23

Keywords

  • Arm energy balancing
  • circulating current
  • low frequency operation
  • modular multilevel converter (MMC)
  • offset voltage

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