A New MMC Sub-Module Topology with DC Fault Blocking Capability and Capacitor Voltage Self-Balancing Capability

Abstract

A large number of modular multilevel converters (MMC) are connected to HVDC transmission systems nowadays. This paper aims at the short-circuit fault in the DC line of the HVDC transmission system and the problem of capacitor voltage imbalance in MMC, proposing a new type of MMC sub-module, which has both the DC fault self-clearing ability and the capacitor voltage self-balancing ability. This sub-module combines the topology of half bridge and full bridge. It uses the reverse capacitor voltage to forcibly turn off the conducting diode to block the fault current loop. At the same time, the two capacitances charge and discharge states are consistent by utilizing the operating mode of the sub-module. It is possible to directly achieve a self-balancing capacitor voltage without complex balancing voltage control. The MATLAB/Simulink simulation verifies the effectiveness of the DC fault blocking capability and capacitor voltage balance capability of the proposed sub-module.

Keywords

• modular multilevel inverter
• DC fault clearing ability
• improved sub-module topology
• voltage self-balancing ability