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This paper proposes a current sensorless control strategy for the dual active bridge (DAB) converter with nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO)-based load current feedforward. The proposed method can regulate both the dc-bus voltage and the current of the DAB converter without current sensors. Several performance indexes are established for the parameter design and a detailed design method is presented in this paper. When a single-phase H-bridge inverter is connected, the double-frequency oscillation from the feedback path is suppressed by proper parameter design, while the transient response of dc-bus voltage can be further improved by the NDO-based load current feedforward with a notch filter in the feedforward path. The performance of the proposed control method and the effectiveness of the parameter design are verified in a prototype by experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a novel model predictive control (MPC) for the T-type single-phase three-level inverters. The cumbersome procedure in tuning of weighting factors is eliminated so that the implementation of the proposed MPC becomes easy. The constant switching frequency is achieved during the control implementation in order to facilitate the filter design. In order to optimize the distribution of the output current harmonics, multiple voltage vectors are employed in each control cycle with their application times setting inversely proportion to the respective cost function. The redundant small voltage vectors are utilized to balance the neutral point voltage of the inverter by directly regulating the upper and lower dc-link capacitors voltages. Finally, the proposed MPC algorithm is experimentally evaluated and compared with other two unfixed switching frequency MPC algorithms in terms of the steady state, transient performance, and parameter sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When fast voltage control is used in a power factor control, the ripple of the dc link causes current harmonics. This paper proposes a method to reduce the harmonic content of a fast voltage loop in a power factor correction, which can both produce low distortion during steady-state operation and fast recovery from a load transient. The performance is achieved by using a Takagi–Sugeno-type nonlinear controller for dc-link voltage control. The proposed nonlinear control is compared with linear proportional–integral (PI) control, which is tuned to meet the standardized regulations for the harmonic content in a 3-kW single phase power supply. The results show that the presented nonlinear voltage controller can maintain the dynamic performance of the linear control with reduced current harmonics. It is also shown that the used nonlinear control method requires only marginally more complex control algorithm compared to commonly used linear PI control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the use of a cascaded multilevel converter for flexible power conditioning in smart-grid applications. The main feature of the proposed scheme is the use of independent dc links with reduced voltages, which makes such a topology an ideal candidate for medium- and high-power applications with increased reliability. The developed control strategy regulates independent dc-link voltages in each H-bridge cell, and allows the selective and flexible compensation of disturbing currents under a variety of voltage conditions without requiring any reference frame transformation. The selective control strategies are based on the decompositions proposed in the conservative power theory, which result in several current-related terms associated with specific load characteristics. These current components are independent of each other and may be used to define different compensation strategies, which can be selective in minimizing particular effects of disturbing loads. Experimental results are provided to validate the possibilities and performance of the proposed control strategies, considering ideal and deteriorated voltage conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Multilevel inverters are receiving more attentions nowadays as one of preferred solutions for medium- and high-power applications. As one of the most popular hybrid multilevel inverter topologies, the five-level active-neutral-point-clamped inverter (5L-ANPC) combines the features of the conventional flying-capacitor type and neutral-point-clamped (NPC) type inverter and was commercially used for industrial applications. In order to further decrease the number of active switches, this paper proposes a seven-switch 5L-ANPC (7S-5L-ANPC) topology, which employs only seven active switches and two discrete diodes. The analysis has shown a lower current rating can be selected for the seventh switch under high power factor condition, which is verified by simulation results. The modulation strategy for 7S-5L-ANPC inverter is discussed. A 1 kVA single-phase experimental prototype is built to verify the validity and flexibility of the proposed topology and modulation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel cascaded seven-level inverter topology with a single input source integrating switched-capacitor techniques is presented. Compared with the traditional cascade multilevel inverter, the proposed topology replaces all the separate dc sources with capacitors, leaving only one H-bridge cell with a real dc voltage source and only adds two charging switches. The capacitor charging circuit contains only power switches, so that the capacitor charging time is independent of the load. The capacitor voltage can be controlled at a desired level without complex voltage control algorithm and only use the most common carrier phase-shifted sinusoidal pulse width modulation strategy. The operation principle and the charging–discharging characteristic analysis are discussed in detail. A 1-kW experimental prototype is built and tested to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a unified PWM method for matrix converters so as to establish a common platform which can generate various types of PWM methods in real time by adjusting the free parameters in the modulation algorithm. As a foundation for unification, the general form of the modulation functions for matrix converters is derived using geometric transformation approach. All eligible direct modulation matrices are shown to be of indirect form and are expressed in terms of instantaneous phase quantities. This paper also presents a new viewpoint to consider a matrix converter as a generalized three-level inverter and to apply the double-carrier-based dipolar modulation technique of the three-level inverter to the matrix converter. Several concepts of the two-level PWM inverters are then generalized to the matrix converters for better visualization and understanding of the modulation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a cascaded H-Bridge (CHB)-multilevel converter (MC)-based photovoltaic (PV) system with no voltage or current sensors at the dc-side is proposed. Eliminating the dc-side sensors simplifies the hardware, leading to lower cost and higher reliability of the PV system. A novel scheme estimating the capacitors’ voltages from the ac output voltage of the inverter is developed. The scheme allows replacing all dc-side voltage sensors by a single-voltage sensor at the ac-side of the converter. Furthermore, the dc current sensors, conventionally required for the maximum power point tracking (MPPT), are also eliminated. Instead, the outputs from the capacitors’ voltage control systems are utilized for the MPPT. The effectiveness of the proposed dc-side sensorless system is experimentally demonstrated on a 2-kW single-phase seven-level CHB converter-based PV system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

When the faulty cells of a nonregenerative cascaded H-bridge inverter are bypassed, it is necessary to inject a zero-sequence voltage into the inverter phase voltages so as to achieve the maximum balanced line-to-line voltage. However, the injected zero-sequence voltage may lead to a back flow of real power (BFRP) in at least one phase so that the dc voltage will rise to an intolerable level. To solve the problem, this paper proposes a new method of generating zero-sequence voltages. This method can not only maximize the available output voltage but also suppress the BFRP effectively. The zero-sequence voltage is always limited to an appropriate range to achieve the maximum output voltage through linear modulation. Closed-loop control is used to minimize the fundamental component of the zero-sequence voltage so that the power is less likely to flow back. Compared with the conventional methods, the proposed method allows the inverter to drive a load with a lower power factor not inducing BFRP or degrading the output voltage capability. As a result, the probability of overvoltage on the dc side is reduced. The experimental results show that the proposed method is effective and feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new medium voltage power converter topology using a diode rectifier, three-level boost (TLB) converter, and neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter is proposed for a high-power permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind energy conversion system. The generator-side TLB converter performs the maximum power point tracking and balancing of dc-link capacitor voltages, while the grid-side NPC inverter regulates the net dc-bus voltage and reactive power to the grid. A significant improvement in the grid power quality is accomplished as the NPC inverter no longer controls the dc-link neutral point voltage. A model predictive strategy is proposed to control the complete system where the discrete-time models of the proposed power electronic converters are used to predict the future behavior of control variables. These predictions are evaluated using two independent cost functions, and the switching states which minimize these cost functions are selected and applied to the generator- and grid-side converters directly. In order to comply with the high-power application, the switching frequencies of the TLB converter and NPC inverter are minimized and maintained below 1.5 and 1 kHz, respectively. The proposed topology and control strategy are verified through MATLAB simulations on a 3-MW/3000-V/577-A system and dSPACE DS1103-based experiments on 3.6-kW/208-V/10-A prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distributed generation (DG) should supply continuous power to the local critical load, even in the condition of utility outage. And many efforts have been made for the three-phase inverter in the DG to transfer between the islanding mode and the grid-tied mode seamlessly. This paper proposes a transfer strategy based on indirect current control for the three-phase inverter in the DG, which is composed mainly of two cascaded feedback loops, i.e., capacitor voltage loop and external grid current loop, in synchronous reference frame. In the grid-tied mode, the grid current is controlled by regulating the capacitor voltage. When islanding happens, the reference of the voltage loop is fixed by the limiter. As the local load is located in parallel with the filter capacitor in the proposed strategy, the load voltage is always controlled by the capacitor voltage loop directly, and the quality of the load voltage can be guaranteed. Besides, the performance of the capacitor voltage loop is further improved by introducing an inner capacitor current loop. Moreover, the steady state and transient state of the system, including the output of the limiter, are comprehensively analyzed, and then the compensators and limiters are designed. Finally, the proposed control strategy is verified by the simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid cascade multilevel inverters combine semiconductor devices of different voltage ratings and technologies, which theoretically allow high efficiency to be achieved. The bottlenecks of these topologies are, however, the need for isolated supplies for the cells and the lack of modularity. This paper focuses on the design and control of high-resolution, high-efficiency multilevel inverters with simplified dc power supplies. It introduces several rules for systematically designing the dc voltages of the cells, for which all unsupplied capacitor voltages can be regulated. Six classes of inverters are obtained covering single- and three-phase, staircase and pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) inverters. New configurations of hybrid cascade multilevel inverters are obtained for each class. A double modulation strategy with two different frequencies is proposed that allows switching losses of PWM inverters to be reduced. Decoupled mechanisms are proposed for the total and internal energy balances. It is shown how to make the design robust by taking into account conversion losses and large dc-voltage imbalances in the design and control. An analysis of the maximum voltage utilization and efficiency of the resulting configurations is carried out. The effectiveness of the novel concepts is validated experimentally for two of the proposed topologies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper extends the Z-source concept to matrix converters and explores a family of Z-source matrix converters. Their principles and characteristics are analyzed, and a simplified voltage-fed Z-source matrix converter is used as an example to demonstrate its operation, voltage gain versus modulation index, PWM method, boost control, and implementation of the control. Both simulation and experimental results verify operation of the proposed Z-source matrix converter, analytical results, and control method. The Z-source converters can achieve buck and boost operation with reduced number of switches needed, therefore achieving low cost, high efficiency, and reliability, compared to the traditional matrix converters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power converters consisting of naturally commutated thyristors such as cycloconverters and current source inverters were the first to be used in driving electrical motors with variable speed, but now, due to their inferior performance compared to forced commutated converters, their use is restricted in the high voltage/high power range where the performance and cost of forced commutated switching devices are not yet competitive. Hybrid cycloconverters proposed recently are capable of improving the performance of cycloconverters by adding an auxiliary forced commutated inverter with reduced installed power. It will be shown that the new topology is not only able to improve the quality of the output voltage but is also able to enhance the control over the circulating current and, therefore, for some of the cycloconverter arrangements, to improve the input power quality. This paper evaluates the performance of a few standard and hybrid cycloconverter arrangements using both simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new high step-up dc–dc converter designed especially for regulating the dc interface between various microsources and a dc–ac inverter to electricity grid. The figuration of the proposed converter is a quadratic boost converter with the coupled inductor in the second boost converter. The converter achieves high step-up voltage gain with appropriate duty ratio and low voltage stress on the power switch. Additionally, the energy stored in the leakage inductor of the coupled inductor can be recycled to the output capacitor. The operating principles and steady-state analyses of continuous-conduction mode and boundary-conduction mode are discussed in detail. To verify the performance of the proposed converter, a 280-W prototype sample is implemented with an input voltage range of 20–40 V and an output voltage of up to 400 V. The upmost efficiency of 93.3% is reached with high-line input; on the other hand, the full-load efficiency remains at 89.3% during low-line input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel H-bridge multilevel pulsewidth modulation converter topology based on a series connection of a high-voltage diode-clamped inverter and a low-voltage conventional inverter is proposed in this paper. A dc link voltage arrangement for the new hybrid and asymmetric solution is presented to have a maximum number of output voltage levels by preserving the adjacent switching vectors between voltage levels. Hence, a 15-level hybrid converter can be attained with a minimum number of power components. A comparative study has been carried out to present high performance of the proposed configuration to approach a very low total harmonic distortion of voltage and current, which leads to the possible elimination of the output filter. Regarding the proposed configuration, a new cascade inverter is verified by cascading an asymmetrical diode-clamped inverter, in which 19 levels can be synthesized in output voltage with the same number of components. To balance the dc link capacitor voltages for the maximum output voltage resolution as well as synthesize asymmetrical dc link combination, a new multi-output boost converter is utilized at the dc link voltage of a seven-level H-bridge diode-clamped inverter. Simulation and hardware results based on different modulations are presented to confirm the validity of the proposed approach to achieve a high-quality output voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The output voltage quality of some of the single-phase multilevel inverters can be improved when their dc-link voltages are regulated asymmetrically. Symmetrical and asymmetrical multilevel diode-clamped inverters have the problem of dc-link capacitor voltage balancing, especially when power factor of the load is close to unity. In this paper, a new single-inductor multi-output dc/dc converter is proposed that can control the dc-link voltages of a single-phase diode-clamped inverter asymmetrically to achieve voltage quality enhancement. The circuit of the presented converter is explained and the main equations are developed. A control strategy is proposed and explained in details. To validate the versatility of the proposed combination of the suggested dc–dc converter and the asymmetrical four-level diode-clamped inverter (ADCI), simulations and experiments have been directed. It is concluded that the proposed combination of introduced multioutput dc–dc converter and single-phase ADCI is a good candidate for power conversion in residential photovoltaic (PV) utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]