Modular Multilevel Converters: Control and Applications

Abstract

This review article is mainly oriented to the control and applications of modular multilevel converters (MMC). The main topologies of the switching modules are presented, for normal operation and for the elimination of DC faults. Methods to keep the capacitor voltage balanced are included. The voltage and current modulators, that are the most internal loops of control, are detailed. Voltage control and current control schemes are included which regulate DC link voltage and reactive power. The cases of unbalanced and distorted networks are analyzed, and schemes are proposed so that MMC contribute to improve the quality of the grid in these situations. The main applications in high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission along with other medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) applications are included. Finally, the application to offshore wind farms is specifically analyzed.

Keywords

• capacitor voltage balancing
• current controlled converter
• D-STATCOM
• harmonics
• HVDC
• modular multilevel converter (MMC)
• sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (PWM)
• space-vector modulation (SVM)
• switching modules (SM) topologies
• unbalanced compensation