Advancing Fault Tolerance & Power Density in Modular Multilevel Converters via Innovative Circuit Design/Control Strategies

[]Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) are pivotal in high-voltage applications such as HVDC transmission, renewable energy integration, and medium-voltage motor drives due to their modularity and superior controllability compared to conventional power conversion topologies. However, the bulky and costly capacitors in conventional submodules (SMs) of MMCs pose significant challenges in terms of volume, weight, and efficiency, often accounting for more than 50% of the converter’s weight and 80% of its volume.
In this talk, Dr. Jinia Roy will present a novel SM circuit incorporating the Active Power Decoupling (APD) technique to address these limitations through advanced control and circuit design. The proposed APD-SM architecture operates on the principle of redistributing ripple power—predominantly at the line and twice the line frequency—into a dedicated decoupling path. This circuit provides a parallel route for oscillatory current components, effectively offloading stress from the main capacitor and enabling a significant reduction in its size.
The APD-SM enables up to a sevenfold reduction in capacitor size while maintaining voltage ripple within acceptable limits. Additionally, it inherently reduces fault current, circulating current, and allowing for a more compact arm inductor design. The presentation will delve into the theoretical foundations, impedance-based analysis, and control strategies that validate the effectiveness of the APD-SM.
Co-sponsored by: Tanvi Nagarale
Speaker(s): Jinia Roy,
Agenda:
5:50 pm – Webex opens to all, informal/virtual networking, introductions
6:00 pm – Distinguished Lecture Talk begins
7:00 pm – End of talk, Begin Q&A
7:30 pm – Conclusion of event and formal vote of thanks to the speaker
All times are EST/EDT
Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/518573