Multilevel Converters for Medium/High-Power Applications

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) has become the most attractive multilevel converter topology for medium/high-power applications, specifically for voltage-sourced converter high-voltage direct current (VSC–HVDC) transmission systems. In comparison with other multilevel converter topologies, the salient features of the MMC include:1) Modularity and scalability to meet any voltage level requirements,2) High efficiency, which is of significant importance for high-power applications,3) Superior harmonic performance, specifically in high-voltage applications where a large number of identical submodules (SMs) with low-voltage ratings are stacked up, thereby the size of passive filters can be reduced, and4) Absence of dc-link capacitors. Over the past few years, there has been a significant effort towards addressing the technical challenges associated with the operation and control of the MMC as well as broadening its applications.The main intention of this MOOC is to introduce the MMC topology and its operational and control challenges along with the most recent solutions to address those challenges.

What you'll learn

• The basics of operation and modulation techniques of various DC-AC voltage-sourced converters (VSCs), e.g., the conventional two-level converter and various multi-level VSCs
• How to develop closed-loop control strategies for proper operation of various grid-connected VSCs under both steady-state and transient operating conditions
• Ways to recognize the salient features of the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) as compared with other multilevel VSCs
• The operational/control challenges associated with the MMC