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Energies
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Advances in Multilevel Converter/Inverter Topologies and Applications
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Advances in Multilevel Converter/Inverter Topologies and Applications

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "F3: Power Electronics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 10423

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jose I. Leon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Seville, 41092 Seville, Spain
Interests: multilevel converters; renewable energy; modulation techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Samir Kouro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electronic Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso 2390123, Chile
Interests: power electronics; multilevel converters; renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Abraham Marquez Alcaide

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Electronic Engineering Department, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Interests: modulation techniques; multilevel converters; model-based predictive control of power converters and drives; renewable energy sources; power devices lifetime extension
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Medium-voltage high-power converters have become a mature and attractive solution for a wide variety of applications. Efforts from researchers and industry are achieving a rapid development of different converter topologies, modulation techniques and control strategies. In addition, other interesting research topics such as fault tolerant operation, reduction in power losses, converter lifespan management methods, optimized control strategies and new applications are also important.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Converter topologies for high-power motor drives;
  2. Converters for renewable energy applications;
  3. Converters for grid-connected applications such as active front-end, active filter, STATCOM, FACTS, smart transformers, etc;
  4. Converters for high-voltage DC transmission systems;
  5. Rectifiers and applications in regenerative systems;
  6. New modulation strategies and control strategies for high-power converters;
  7. Common mode voltage reduction methods in high-power inverters;
  8. Fault tolerant capability of high-power converters;
  9. High efficiency high-power converters;
  10. Multilevel multiphase converters;
  11. New medium-voltage high-power converter topologies;
  12. Active lifespan management methods.

Prof. Dr. Jose I. Leon
Prof. Dr. Samir Kouro
Dr. Abraham Marquez Alcaide
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • multilevel converters
  • power electronics
  • high-power applications
  • medium-voltage systems
  • modular converters

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 14421 KiB  
Article
Control of Cascaded Multilevel Converter for Wave Energy Applications
by Henry M. Zapata, Marcelo A. Perez and Abraham Marquez Alcaide
Energies 2023, 16(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010071 - 21 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1138
Abstract
This paper proposes a control scheme for a wave energy conversion system based on a linear generator and a cascaded multilevel converter. The mechanical conversion system is composed of a buoy connected directly to a linear generator. The windings of the generator are [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a control scheme for a wave energy conversion system based on a linear generator and a cascaded multilevel converter. The mechanical conversion system is composed of a buoy connected directly to a linear generator. The windings of the generator are individually controlled by a cascaded multilevel power converter using independent maximum power point tracking to improve energy harvesting. The output of the cascaded converter is controlled to keep the DC capacitors balanced and generate a multilevel voltage at the output terminals which reduces the losses in the underwater transmission line. Experimental results show the performance of the proposed control scheme maximizing the power generation by imposing a current with the same waveform of the induced voltage and balancing the DC capacitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multilevel Converter/Inverter Topologies and Applications)
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20 pages, 5642 KiB  
Article
Improved Operation Strategy for the High Voltage Input Stage of a Multi-Port Smart Transformer
by Enrique Romero-Cadaval, Fermín Barrero-González, Eva González-Romera, María-Isabel Milanés-Montero and Carlos Roncero-Clemente
Energies 2022, 15(10), 3778; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15103778 - 20 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1426
Abstract
Smart transformers are considered a crucial part of future smart grids as they will operate as the energy router and be able to control the power flows from and to the microgrids since they are placed in the border. A multi-port transformer can [...] Read more.
Smart transformers are considered a crucial part of future smart grids as they will operate as the energy router and be able to control the power flows from and to the microgrids since they are placed in the border. A multi-port transformer can integrate different energy resources, loads and energy storage systems, optimizing the power flows between these elements. Combining both concepts, a multi-port smart transformer is obtained that is able to integrate efficiently distributed and renewable energy resources, electric vehicle chargers, prosumers and energy storage in both AC and DC microgrids. Nevertheless, the operation of these transformers, composed of several modules connected in series to the high-voltage grid is not easy, mainly due to the different power consumed or generated by each module. In this paper this issue is analyzed and different operation strategies for coordinating the series-connected modules at the input side are studied by simulation. The paper will expose how it is possible to extend the proper operation of the system if a reactive power controller is implemented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multilevel Converter/Inverter Topologies and Applications)
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17 pages, 3064 KiB  
Article
Integrated Three-Level Dual-Phase Inverter
by Charles Ikechukwu Odeh, Arkadiusz Lewicki, Marcin Morawiec and Andrzej Jąderko
Energies 2022, 15(8), 2897; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15082897 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1853
Abstract
In view of reducing the number of inverter legs that provide dual-phase, three-level output voltages (as may be needed in an uninterruptible power supply), and that also provide a wide range of output frequencies (as needed in an advanced motor drive system with [...] Read more.
In view of reducing the number of inverter legs that provide dual-phase, three-level output voltages (as may be needed in an uninterruptible power supply), and that also provide a wide range of output frequencies (as needed in an advanced motor drive system with wide speed ranges), a three-level, dual-phase inverter topology is presented in this paper. Its three-level attribute was based on the F-type inverter topological concept, and its dual-output feature was based on the common representation of the inverter-leg concept. The proposed inverter could deliver single- and three-phase voltages to corresponding one- and three-phase loads, in common or different frequency modes of operation. A boundary between these modes of operation was established for the proposed inverter. An additional possibility of either operation in the one-phase or the three-phase system was offered by the inverter configuration. A modified carrier-based sinusoidal pulse-width modulation scheme is presented for the control of the inverter topology. The performances of the dual-phase inverter are given in the simulation results and demonstrated with a hardware prototype. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multilevel Converter/Inverter Topologies and Applications)
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14 pages, 1456 KiB  
Article
Asymmetric Neutral Point Diode Clamped Topology with Reduced Component Count for Switched Reluctance Machine Drive
by Pieter Antonie Scholtz and Michael Njoroge Gitau
Energies 2022, 15(7), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15072468 - 27 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1836
Abstract
The Reduced Asymmetric Neutral Point Clamped converter topology for unipolar driven, multiphase switched reluctance machines is proposed in this paper. This topology shares similarities with the conventional NPC and Asymmetric-NPC topologies, however it is unique in that the components for the capacitor string [...] Read more.
The Reduced Asymmetric Neutral Point Clamped converter topology for unipolar driven, multiphase switched reluctance machines is proposed in this paper. This topology shares similarities with the conventional NPC and Asymmetric-NPC topologies, however it is unique in that the components for the capacitor string and outer semiconductor switches are shared among all the phases for a reduced component count. Some switching state combinations are not possible during commutation overlap between motor phases, resulting in minor torque transients during regenerative braking. A custom modulation scheme is implemented with fixed frequency, phase-shifted carrier waveforms that allow for automatic balancing of the neutral point voltage and interleaved switching of the semiconductor switches. A simple torque observer control architecture is used with minor adjustments for arbitrating torque contribution priorities between phases during handover. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multilevel Converter/Inverter Topologies and Applications)
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19 pages, 32245 KiB  
Article
Optimization-Based Capacitor Balancing Method with Customizable Switching Reduction for CHB Converters
by Luis Galván, Pablo J. Gómez, Eduardo Galván and Juan M. Carrasco
Energies 2022, 15(6), 1976; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15061976 - 8 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1408
Abstract
This paper presents a method for switching reduction in cascaded H-bridge converters. Given the wide applicability of this topology, it would be especially desirable to increase its efficiency with switching losses reduction techniques. Since this type of converter requires voltage balancing methods, several [...] Read more.
This paper presents a method for switching reduction in cascaded H-bridge converters. Given the wide applicability of this topology, it would be especially desirable to increase its efficiency with switching losses reduction techniques. Since this type of converter requires voltage balancing methods, several modulation methods consider the possibility of combining the balancing and switching reduction goals together. In this paper, a previously disclosed optimization-based balance method was modified further to consider the switching losses in its objective function. Each commutation was penalized in proportion to the phase current and the module voltage, thus avoiding commutations that would produce the most losses but tolerating low-losses commutations. The structure of the original method was maintained so that the algorithm could be applied with minimal change. The results show that it is possible to reduce the switching up to 14% without any noticeable drawback and up to 22% at the cost of a greater DC-link ripple. It is also possible to selectively reduce the effective switching frequency of only some modules, making it significantly low. This extends the adaptability of the converter, possibly allowing hybrid converters with modules of different transistor technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multilevel Converter/Inverter Topologies and Applications)
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20 pages, 5569 KiB  
Article
Optimization-Based Capacitor Balancing Method with Selective DC Current Ripple Reduction for CHB Converters
by Luis Galván, Pablo Jesús Gómez, Eduardo Galván and Juan Manuel Carrasco
Energies 2022, 15(1), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010243 - 30 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1404
Abstract
From its introduction to the present day, Cascaded H-Bridge multilevel converters were employed on numerous applications. However, their floating capacitor, while advantageous for some applications (such as photovoltaic) requires the usage of balancing methods by design. Over the years, several such methods were [...] Read more.
From its introduction to the present day, Cascaded H-Bridge multilevel converters were employed on numerous applications. However, their floating capacitor, while advantageous for some applications (such as photovoltaic) requires the usage of balancing methods by design. Over the years, several such methods were proposed and polished. Some of these methods use optimization techniques or inject a zero-sequence voltage to take advantage of the converter redundancies. This paper describes an optimization-based capacitor balancing method with additional features. It can drive each module DC-Link to a different voltage for independent maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic applications. Moreover, the user can specify the independent active power set points to modules connected to batteries or any other energy storage systems. Finally, DC current ripple can be reduced on some modules, which can extend the lifespan of any connected ultra-capacitors. The method as a whole is tested on real hardware and compared with the state-of-the-art. In its simplest configuration, the presented method shows greater speed, robustness, and current wave quality than the state-of-the-art alternative in spite of producing about 1/3 fewer commutations. Its other characteristics provide additional functionalities and improve the adaptability of the converter to other applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Multilevel Converter/Inverter Topologies and Applications)
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