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Neutral point (NP) clamped (NPC) inverters produce low-frequency NP voltage oscillations when modulated with nearest three-vector (NTV) methods for certain loading conditions. Non-NTV modulations can address these oscillations at the expense of increased switching frequency, output voltage distortion and complexity. This study presents a new generalised algorithm to implement hybrid modulation strategies which can also eliminate NP voltage oscillations using a combination of the aforementioned methods. The proposed algorithm avoids abrupt changeover between the two modulations and ensures minimum contribution of non-NTV operation and hence its drawbacks. Moreover, the algorithm is computationally efficient compared with its counterparts, since it only uses redistributed NTV duty ratios to generate NTV and non-NTV modulations instead of using two separate complex algorithms which result in increased computational burden. A non-NTV method called selected three-vector (STV) modulation is chosen to perform the detailed analysis of above proposed algorithm for hybrid NTV-STV modulation. Additionally, a simplified STV (SSTV) is derived to develop a new hybrid NTV-SSTV modulation strategy which further reduces losses and complexity compared with the hybrid NTV-STV modulation, without affecting the performance of NPC. The proposed algorithm and the derived hybrid modulation strategy are validated using simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a new hybrid nine-level inverter topology for an induction motor with an open-end stator winding is proposed. In the proposed topology, one end of the open-end winding is fed by a three-phase five-level inverter, and the other end is connected to a conventional three-phase two-level inverter. The three-phase five-level structure is realized by cascading a three-level flying capacitor inverter with capacitor-fed H-bridge in each phase. In the proposed topology, a total of 17,576 space vector combinations are available; hence, the capacitor voltages can be maintained at desired levels using switching redundancies. As compared to conventional topologies that require 48 switches, the proposed topology requires only 30 switches and completely eliminates the requirement of clamping diodes, which are required in a neutral point clamped inverter. Also, it requires only two capacitors per phase, whereas the nine-level flying capacitor inverter requires 28 capacitors per phase. In case of fault in any H-bridge, the system can be operated as a five-level inverter at its full power rating and improves the reliability of the inverter. The performance of the proposed system has been experimentally investigated on a 1.5-kW open-end stator winding induction motor, and results are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a mathematical model for three-phase multilevel diode clamped ac/dc converter (DCC) in abc-reference frame, in order to study dynamic responses and stability of the system, where multilevel converters are employed. An attempt is made to model the converter adopting 5-level DCC and can be easily extended to DCC with any number of levels. The converter output and dc capacitor voltages are expressed in terms of input source currents and switching functions; which are basic inputs provided to a converter. Connection and capacitor currents of the converter have been analyzed. The effectiveness of the proposed mathematical model is verified by the computer simulations and experimental results. The obtained mathematical model has been validated with the physical converter model in MATLAB/Simulink environment and the prototype model using dSPACE DS under closed loop control system. The developed mathematical model equations are able to represent the physical converter with similar characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an artificial neural-network (ANN)-based space-vector pulse-width modulation (SVPWM) for capacitor voltage balancing of a three-phase three-level neutral-point clamped converter with improved power quality is presented. The neural-network-based controller offers the advantage of very fast implementation of the SVPWM algorithm. This makes it possible to use an application specific integrated circuit chip in place of a digital signal processor. The proposed scheme employs single layer feed-forward neural-networks at different stages along with a control algorithm using modified reference vector for capacitor voltage balancing of an improved power quality three-phase neutral-point clamped converter. In other words, the neural-network receives three-phase voltages and currents as input and generates symmetrical pulse-width modulation waves for three phases of the converter. A simulated digital signal processor (DSP)-based modulator generates the data which are used to train the network by a back-propagation algorithm in the MATLAB Neural Network Toolbox. The simulation of converter with ANN-based space-vector modulator shows excellent performance when compared with that of conventional DSP-based modulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a modulation strategy for self-balancing of capacitor voltages of three-phase neutral-point clamped bi-directional rectifier (without feedback controller and sensors). It is identified that regions within a sector are divided into two categories: (a) One small vector among three selected vectors and (b) Two small vectors among three selected vectors. For category (a) positive and negative commutation state of small vector is implemented for equal duty cycle but for category (b) positive and negative commutation state of small vectors is implemented for unequal duty cycle. Based on this observation, an innovative idea is executed to remove these discrepancies. The innovative optimized space vector switching sequences negative and positive commutation state of both the small vectors are implemented for equal duty cycle during each sampling period resulting in self-balancing of DC-bus capacitors with much reduced ripples under steady-state and dynamic load conditions for both rectification and inversion mode of operation. The converter exhibits excellent performance in terms of other critical parameters like unity input power factor, low input current THD, minimum possible switching losses, reduced-rippled and well-regulated DC voltage. The proposed control algorithm is tested through exhaustive simulation of converter using MATLAB Simulink software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a modulation strategy is presented using minimum number of switching transitions of optimised switching sequences for balancing of DC-bus capacitor voltages of a three-phase neutral-point clamped bi-directional converter. This new approach is derived from the fact that in front end AC-DC converters, the location of supply voltage vector and reference current vector (magnitude and lag angle) vary depending upon the amount of reactive power compensation and the load current to be supplied by converter. Accordingly, the effect of small and medium vectors (using space vector pulse-width modulation) for same switching state varies in each sector and its regions resulting in DC-bus capacitor voltage unbalancing. This observation along with the detailed analysis of current pattern for both the capacitors within each sector and its regions and its effect on neutral-point voltage deviation forms the basis of proposed approach of maintaining optimised space vector sequences and changing the number of sampling periods within each sector and its regions, thus resulting in DC-bus capacitor voltage balancing. As a result, modified reference current vector spends different amount of time in alternate sectors (moves faster and slower in alternate sectors) but total time for one complete cycle is same as actual current vector. The converter exhibits excellent performance in terms of other critical parameters like unity input power factor, low input current THD, minimum switching losses, reduced ripple factor of the regulated DC output voltage and particularly, the neutral-point voltage deviation under dynamic load conditions both for rectification and inversion modes of operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the real time implementation of 11-level cascade multilevel inverter-based STATCOM using personal computer (PC) and ADD-ON cards for power system voltage control at the point of common coupling. Complete hardware and software development procedures have been explained in depth for direct as well as indirect control schemes. Experimental results are presented and it is shown that voltage control is achieved using cascade multilevel inverter based STATCOM, thus verifying the very basic purpose of STATCOM. Real time implementation using PC-based control technique has certain merits over digital signal processor based implementation, and some of these merits are high processing speed and low cost of implementation; therefore, PC-based implementation can be used in industry as well as for utility applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a capacitor voltage balancing topology using a three-level boost converter (TLBC) for a neutral point clamped (NPC) three-level inverter fed surface permanent magnet synchronous motor drive (SPMSM). It enhanced the performance of the drive in terms of its voltage THD and torque pulsation. The main attracting feature of the proposed control is the boosting of the input voltage and at the same time the balancing of the capacitor voltages. This control also reduces the computational complexity. For the purpose of close loop vector control, a software based cost effective resolver to digital converter RDC-less estimation is implemented to calculate the speed and position. The proposed drive is simulated in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and an experimental investigation using dSPACE DS1104 validates the proposed drive system at different operating condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hydropower is a major energy source among the renewable energy sources. According to “BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2013”, 16.34 percentage of global power generation acquire from hydropower. To attain efficient generation in hydro plant, extensive design with the up to date technology is mandatory. To make the generation more effective various technologies are adopted, among these the very effective one is power electronics (PE) technology. The paper has reviewed the challenges in how PE technology fits in as the solution for various hydroelectric energy systems (HEES). The PE technology is adapted efficiently in various parts of HEES like, grid integration, machine control, switching (pumping mode to generating mode and vice versa), power control, voltage and frequency control, power factor correction, etc., The advancement of PE technology diminishes the cost and space of the plant and enhances the power handling capability. The paper emergence the outstanding features of power electronics in various aspects that will extensively contribute to the development of HEES around the world. In addition, PE contribution satisfies the need of reliability, dynamic response, efficiency, protection, etc., in HEES. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]