New measuring technique for reducing the number of voltage sensors in modular multilevel converters

This paper presents a new technique for measuring the capacitor voltages in a modular multilevel converter using a reduced number of voltage sensors. With this technique, the minimum number of voltage sensors per arm is two. Each sensor measures the output voltage of a set of submodules (SMs) connec...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Picas Prat, Ricard, Zaragoza Bertomeu, Jordi|||0000-0002-1463-4560, Pou Félix, Josep, Ceballos Recio, Salvador, Balcells Sendra, Josep|||0000-0001-7173-1255
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2016
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/85007
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/85007
https://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2015.2412658
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Electric current converters
Capacitor voltage estimator
modular multi-level converter (MMC)
reduced number of sensors
voltage measurement
SWITCHING-FREQUENCY
HVDC SYSTEM
OPERATION
OBSERVER
Convertidors de corrent elèctric
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria electrònica
Descrição
Resumo:This paper presents a new technique for measuring the capacitor voltages in a modular multilevel converter using a reduced number of voltage sensors. With this technique, the minimum number of voltage sensors per arm is two. Each sensor measures the output voltage of a set of submodules (SMs) connected in series and acquires a new measurement when there is only one SM activated within the set. The acquired value corresponds to the capacitor voltage of the activated SM minus the voltage drops produced in the switches. A simple mathematical model is used to estimate all the SM capacitor voltages, and it is then updated whenever there is a new measurement available. An algorithm that enforces the periodic update of the voltage measurements is also presented. The proposed measuring technique highly reduces the number of voltage sensors; hence reducing the complexity and costs of the signal conditioning and data acquisition stages. Simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed technique.