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In meshed high-voltage direct current (HVdc) grid, the current flows through the lines cannot be controlled with sufficient freedom without additional power electronics-based devices, namely current flow controller (CFC). In this article, a novel hybrid modular interline CFC is proposed based on H-bridge submodules and thyristor valves. Due to its modularity, the proposed CFC is particularly suitable for applications requiring high voltage and large power capacity. The circuit structure, operation principle, and parameter design are presented. In addition, a control strategy is developed for the proposed CFC. Simulations are carried out using a four-terminal meshed HVdc grid to verify the effectiveness of the topology and its control strategy. A downscaled prototype is built, which further validates the proposed CFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonlinearity of the voltage source inverter (VSI) leads to the error between output voltage and reference voltage, and causes the phase current harmonics. It is necessary to compensate its influence in the fields such as parameter identification, sensorless control, and servo drives. In this article, an industrial solution for VSI nonlinear compensation method based on lookup table (LUT) is introduced. The characteristics of semiconductor devices, equivalent dead-time and influence of parasitic capacitance effects are calculated quantitatively though injecting increase and decrease current during self-commissioning process. The critical current value for parasitic capacitor and the variation of equivalent dead time are verified through different distorted voltage curves. Considering dc-link voltage variation is irresistible for industrial products, 3-D linear interpolation is adopted to compensate the variation of VSI nonlinearity under different voltage conditions. Proposed LUT method does not require VSI datasheet and complicated calculation formula during implementation. Experiments are carried out on a commercial permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system to verify the proposed LUT method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overmodulation-based nonlinear voltage extension could increase the maximum output torque of the induction motor (IM) in the field-weakening (FW) region. Since the voltage distortion increases with the deepening of overmodulation degree, the extreme nonlinear voltage extension (six-step voltage) is only worthwhile in maximum torque demand conditions. However, the conventional overmodulation-FW scheme always adopts the six-step voltage regardless of torque demand, leading to severe torque ripple. To solve this problem, the minimum-nonlinear-voltage (MNV) method is proposed to satisfy the torque demand with minimum overmodulation-voltage nonlinearity. The difference between the limiting and the feedback values of the torque current is used for suppressing the nonlinear voltage extension during a nonmaximum torque demand state. The quantitative relation between the torque ripple and torque demand of the MNV method is calculated and compared with that of the conventional six-step-FW method. Analysis shows that the MNV method can eliminate the torque ripples of low and medium torque demand conditions completely and partially, respectively. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified experimentally on a 3.7 kW IM platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overmodulation canimprove the utilization of dc-link voltage in the induction motor (IM) field-weakening (FW) control, thereby extending the maximum output torque. Nevertheless, the high modulation index (MI) will cause severe torque ripple. To figure out the relation between the torque ripple and MI, the amplitude of torque ripple with different MI is calculated quantitatively. Then, a torque quality evaluation function (TQEF) is designed to evaluate the torque quality in overmodulation-FW region by considering both fundamental torque extension and torque ripple suppression. On this basis, a modulation index optimization module is proposed for the maximum TQEF value realization. The analysis shows that the studied method could achieve the optimal trade-off between the fundamental torque extension and the torque ripple suppression. The TQEF value of the studied method is higher than that of the conventional six-step voltage method and the inscribed circle voltage method, meaning that the torque quality is optimized. Finally, the effectiveness of the studied method is verified experimentally on an advanced RISC machines (ARM)-based 3.7 kW IM platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under weak grid condition, negative influence is brought in on system stability because the grid impedance and the grid-connected converter control system are coupled to each other. The key factor affecting the stability of the system is the perturbation of the voltage fluctuation at the point of common coupling (PCC) to the phase-locked loop (PLL) and the dc-link voltage loop. In this article, the impedance model of a three-phase grid-connected converter, including the current loop, PLL, and dc-link voltage loop in the dq frame, is adopted, because it includes coupling information of the converter and reflects the transferring relationship among grid-connected system variables. Based on the transferring relationship, this article analyzes the perturbation paths of PCC voltage and proposes the corresponding compensation methods, i.e., the PLL and dc-link voltage loop compensation terms, which are inserted into the q and d axes of the current loop controller, respectively. The impedance analysis results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the system stability. In addition, the experimental results verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medium-voltage (MV) dc collection system is a promising solution for future integration of large-scale renewables at remote places. This requires a high-power dc–dc converter to step up the voltage and connect with the high voltage direct current transmission line. In this article, a novel modular high-power dc–dc converter is proposed, with the combination of half-bridge and full-bridge submodules (SMs), as well as thyristors and diodes. It alternatively configures the SMs into parallel connection with the MV side to effectively share high current stress while series connection with the high voltage side to share the high voltage stress. It presents attractive features such as high device utilization rate, low cost, high step-up ratio, high efficiency, and small footprint. The circuit structure, operation principle, and the control schemes are discussed. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness, and the experimental results from a scaled down prototype further prove the proposed concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the transition process from the base-speed region to the field-weakening region of induction motor (IM), the voltage margin would suddenly disappear due to the limited inverter voltage. This insufficient voltage margin would deteriorate the current control of IM, causing severe voltage saturation and current ripple. To address this problem, a circular arc voltage trajectory method is proposed with the smooth transition-combined field-weakening controller. The voltage and current behavior are analyzed quantitatively during the transition process. The theoretical analysis shows that the studied circular arc trajectory can suppress the sudden decrease of the voltage increasing rate in the transition region, leading to the reduced voltage saturation and current ripple. The sufficient voltage margin and smooth current can be realized at the cost of < 10% voltage utilization ratio. The effectiveness of the studied method is verified by contrast experiments on an ARM-based 3.7-kW IM platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-phase input diode rectifier interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drives with small-volume film capacitors have many merits, such as high reliability, high power density, and low cost. However, in regenerative braking mode, the dc link may suffer from overvoltage due to the application of slim film capacitors. In this paper, a novel antiovervoltage strategy is proposed by controlling the motor voltage using stator current vector orientation. The relationship among the braking torque, the dc-link capacitance, and the antiovervoltage ability is analyzed quantitatively. Based on the analysis of principle, a closed-loop antiovervoltage regulation scheme is presented, which is easy for applications. Additionally, this method has the merit of low motor parameter dependence. Meanwhile, the small signal model of the electrolytic capacitorless IPMSM drive is derived for the coefficient design of the voltage controller. The proposed algorithm is finally implemented on a 2.2-kW electrolytic capacitorless IPMSM drive platform to verify the effectiveness of the antiovervoltage control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a six-step mode-combined field-weakening control scheme to improve the maximum output torque of induction motor (IM) in the voltage-extension region. Compared with the conventional inscribed circle and hexagon methods, the proposed six-step mode method can increase the utilization of dc-link voltage, leading to extended maximum output torque capability. However, the six-step mode operation will inevitably result in torque ripple and current harmonic. To figure out the quantitative relation between the torque extension and ripple, an “equivalent-circuit”-based method is proposed for theoretical torque analysis in six-step mode. To cut off the main current harmonic (sixth harmonic), a second-order generalized integrator based band-stop filter is designed for the feedback current in the current loop. The designed filter can achieve IM stable operation in a six-step mode without affecting the bandwidth of the current loop. The experimental results from a 3.7-kW IM setup verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the zero-sequence circulating current control in the multiparalleled three-phase voltage-source inverters. The model of the zero-sequence circulating current in the N-paralleled (N\;\geq\;3) inverters is derived. It is shown that the circulating current is not only susceptible to the mismatches of circuit parameters, but it is also influenced by the interactions of circulating current controllers used by other paralleled inverters. To eliminate these adverse effects on the circulating current control loop, a coordinate control strategy for the N-paralleled inverter is proposed based on the zero-vector feedforward method with the space-vector pulse width modulation. Moreover, a virtual inverter method is introduced to facilitate the implementation of the proposed controller, which decouples the interactions of circulating current controllers in the paralleled inverters. Finally, experimental results obtained from three-paralleled, grid-connected inverters validate the effectiveness of theoretical analysis and proposed approach. An effective mitigation of the circulating current is demonstrated for the paralleled inverters under the unequal operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Droop control has commonly been used with distributed generators for relating their terminal parameters with power generation. The generators have also been assumed to have enough capacities for supplying the required power. This is, however, not always true, especially with renewable sources with no or insufficient storage for cushioning climatic changes. In addition, most droop-controlled literatures have assumed a single dc–ac inverter with its input dc source fixed. Front-end dc–dc converter added to a two-stage photovoltaic (PV) system has, therefore, usually been ignored. To address these unresolved issues, an improved droop scheme for a two-stage PV system has been developed in this paper. The developed scheme uses the same control structure in both grid connected and islanded modes, which together with properly tuned synchronizers, allows mode transfer to be seamlessly triggered. Moreover, the proposed scheme adapts well with internal PV and external grid fluctuations, and is, hence, more precise with its tracking, as compared with the traditional droop scheme. Simulation and experimental results have verified these expectations, and, hence, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The requirement of a large number of sizeable capacitors in traditional modular multilevel converter (MMC) submodules is seen as a major barrier hampering its widespread use in medium-voltage applications. To reduce the value of capacitance, this paper presents a modified MMC (M-MMC) topology, which offers inherent alleviated capacitor voltage fluctuations compared with traditional MMC. Its operating principle, modulation, and capacitor voltage balancing strategies are described in detail. Moreover, a novel capacitor voltage fluctuation suppression scheme is also proposed to further reduce the second-order capacitor voltage ripples. Finally, both a three-phase prototype of M-MMC and traditional MMC have been built in the laboratory. The effectiveness of the proposed M-MMC topology and control methods is experimentally verified by comparing with the traditional MMC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The papers in this special section are devoted to the topic of solutions for power quality management. Although the power quality problems, such as, reactive and harmonic currents, distortion and fluctuations in the supply voltage, are not new to power system and power electronics researchers, the ever changing landscapes in the power generation and distribution systems have given rise to additional power quality challenges. The growing interest in the smart grid concepts, vehicle to grid operation, inverter based large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind integration, distributed generators (DGs) as ancillary service provider, multilevel inverters for high power applications and so on is making the power quality aspects more prevalent. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Parallel operation is an effective way to improve the capacity of full power converter in permanent-magnet direct-drive wind power generation system. But it causes the zero-sequence circulating-current (ZSCC), which brings current discrepancy, current waveform distortion, power losses, and electromagnetic interference (EMI), etc. The paper proposes a new topology of full power converters which are composed of n full power converters. The n converters have the same structures and are in parallel with each other. Besides, the average models of the system are analyzed and the fundamental mechanism of ZSCC generation is given. Based on the above analysis, the control strategy of the system is designed. The simulation and experiment results of two parallel full power converters show the feasibility of the proposed theory and control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]