Novel Single-Phase Grid-Tied NPC Five-Level Converter with an Inherent DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy for Power Quality Improvement
This paper presents a novel single-phase grid-tied neutral-point-clamped (NPC) five-level converter (SPFLC). Unlike the literature on five-level NPC topologies, the proposed one is capable of inherently balancing the voltage of the DC-link split capacitors. For this purpose, a simple Multicarrier Ph...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/9/2644 |
| _version_ | 1797535224989483008 |
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| author | Jorge Lara Lesedi Masisi Concepcion Hernandez Marco A. Arjona Ambrish Chandra |
| author_facet | Jorge Lara Lesedi Masisi Concepcion Hernandez Marco A. Arjona Ambrish Chandra |
| author_sort | Jorge Lara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper presents a novel single-phase grid-tied neutral-point-clamped (NPC) five-level converter (SPFLC). Unlike the literature on five-level NPC topologies, the proposed one is capable of inherently balancing the voltage of the DC-link split capacitors. For this purpose, a simple Multicarrier Phase Disposition (MPD) Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique is used, thus avoiding both complex modifications to the Space Vector Modulation (SVM) and offset voltage injections into the carrier based (CB) PWM, as commonly done in most conventional balancing algorithms. Bearing in mind that the proposed balancing strategy only requires measuring the capacitors’ voltages and the sign of the converter output current, it has a very low complexity. The developed strategy is not only straightforwardly implemented but is also very effective for obtaining symmetrical and undistorted voltage levels from the proposed multilevel converter, as well as for significantly improving the power quality of the SPFLC output voltage and, in turn, of the grid current. The simulation results obtained with MATLAB-SimPowerSystems as well as the experimental results obtained with the prototype built in the laboratory validate the topology of the proposed NPC five-level converter and the voltage balancing strategy, by showing a good performance under step-changes and exhaustive operating test conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:41:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8221fd34f4154db68fb39c7880b929e1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:41:30Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-8221fd34f4154db68fb39c7880b929e12023-11-21T18:26:13ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732021-05-01149264410.3390/en14092644Novel Single-Phase Grid-Tied NPC Five-Level Converter with an Inherent DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy for Power Quality ImprovementJorge Lara0Lesedi Masisi1Concepcion Hernandez2Marco A. Arjona3Ambrish Chandra4División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, TNM Instituto Tecnológico de La Laguna, Torreón 27000, MexicoSchool of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South AfricaDivisión de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, TNM Instituto Tecnológico de La Laguna, Torreón 27000, MexicoDivisión de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, TNM Instituto Tecnológico de La Laguna, Torreón 27000, MexicoDepartment of Electrical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS), Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, CanadaThis paper presents a novel single-phase grid-tied neutral-point-clamped (NPC) five-level converter (SPFLC). Unlike the literature on five-level NPC topologies, the proposed one is capable of inherently balancing the voltage of the DC-link split capacitors. For this purpose, a simple Multicarrier Phase Disposition (MPD) Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique is used, thus avoiding both complex modifications to the Space Vector Modulation (SVM) and offset voltage injections into the carrier based (CB) PWM, as commonly done in most conventional balancing algorithms. Bearing in mind that the proposed balancing strategy only requires measuring the capacitors’ voltages and the sign of the converter output current, it has a very low complexity. The developed strategy is not only straightforwardly implemented but is also very effective for obtaining symmetrical and undistorted voltage levels from the proposed multilevel converter, as well as for significantly improving the power quality of the SPFLC output voltage and, in turn, of the grid current. The simulation results obtained with MATLAB-SimPowerSystems as well as the experimental results obtained with the prototype built in the laboratory validate the topology of the proposed NPC five-level converter and the voltage balancing strategy, by showing a good performance under step-changes and exhaustive operating test conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/9/2644single-phase multilevel converterNPC topologygrid-tiedcapacitor voltage balancingvector controlpower quality |
| spellingShingle | Jorge Lara Lesedi Masisi Concepcion Hernandez Marco A. Arjona Ambrish Chandra Novel Single-Phase Grid-Tied NPC Five-Level Converter with an Inherent DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy for Power Quality Improvement Energies single-phase multilevel converter NPC topology grid-tied capacitor voltage balancing vector control power quality |
| title | Novel Single-Phase Grid-Tied NPC Five-Level Converter with an Inherent DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy for Power Quality Improvement |
| title_full | Novel Single-Phase Grid-Tied NPC Five-Level Converter with an Inherent DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy for Power Quality Improvement |
| title_fullStr | Novel Single-Phase Grid-Tied NPC Five-Level Converter with an Inherent DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy for Power Quality Improvement |
| title_full_unstemmed | Novel Single-Phase Grid-Tied NPC Five-Level Converter with an Inherent DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy for Power Quality Improvement |
| title_short | Novel Single-Phase Grid-Tied NPC Five-Level Converter with an Inherent DC-Link Voltage Balancing Strategy for Power Quality Improvement |
| title_sort | novel single phase grid tied npc five level converter with an inherent dc link voltage balancing strategy for power quality improvement |
| topic | single-phase multilevel converter NPC topology grid-tied capacitor voltage balancing vector control power quality |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/9/2644 |
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