Precharging strategy for soft startup process of modular multilevel converters based on various SM circuits

Jiangchao Qin, Suman Debnath, Maryam Saeedifard

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) has become one of the most promising converter technologies for medium/high-power applications, specifically for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. One of the technical challenges associated with the operation and control of the MMC-based system is to precharge the submodule (SM) capacitors to their nominal voltages during the startup process. In this paper, considering various SM circuits, a general precharging strategy is proposed for the MMC-based systems under ac-and dc-side startup conditions. The proposed startup method does not require any additional feedback control loop, extra measurements, and/or auxiliary power supplies. Based on the developed startup method, the charging current is controllable by adjusting the changing rate of the number of blocked and bypassed SM capacitors. Performance of the proposed strategy for various MMCs is evaluated based on time-domain simulation studies in the PSCAD/EMTDC software environment.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2016 IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2016
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1528-1533
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781467383936
DOIs
StatePublished - May 10 2016
Event31st Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2016 - Long Beach, United States
Duration: Mar 20 2016Mar 24 2016

Publication series

NameConference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC
Volume2016-May

Conference

Conference31st Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLong Beach
Period03/20/1603/24/16

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