Title :
Current source modular multilevel converter for HVDC and FACTS
Author :
Jiaqi Liang ; Nami, Alireza ; Dijkhuizen, F. ; Tenca, Pierluigi ; Sastry, Jyoti
Author_Institution :
Corp. Res., ABB, Raleigh, NC, USA
Abstract :
A current source modular multilevel converter (MMC) is proposed for high voltage AC/DC power conversion applications, such as HVDC and FACTS. Current source converters possess the advantage of short-circuit fault tolerance, which is a pivotal feature for grid applications. By partially following the circuit duality transformations, the proposed converter is derived from the well-known voltage source MMC. Inductor-based current source cells are connected in parallel and form a current source arm that can synthesize a desired current waveform. By adding a reduced-energy capacitor in parallel to each current source arm, these arms can be further connected in series, thereby allowing voltage scaling. By using fully controllable switches, the converter is capable of providing full control on its active and reactive power. Protection schemes against open-circuit failures inside the inductor cells are also proposed. Simulation results show the operation of the current source MMC and its capability of DC fault tolerance.
Keywords :
AC-DC power convertors; HVDC power convertors; HVDC power transmission; fault tolerance; flexible AC transmission systems; inductors; power capacitors; reactive power; DC fault tolerance; FACTS; HVDC; active power; circuit duality transformations; current source MMC; current source arm; current source modular multilevel converter; current waveform; fully controllable switches; grid applications; high voltage AC-DC power conversion; inductor cells; inductor-based current source cells; open-circuit failures; protection schemes; reactive power; reduced-energy capacitor; short-circuit fault tolerance; voltage scaling; voltage source MMC; Circuit faults; Fault currents; Inductors; Switches; Thyristors; Voltage control; Current Source Inverter; FACTS; HVDC; Multilevel Converters;
Conference_Titel :
Power Electronics and Applications (EPE), 2013 15th European Conference on
Conference_Location :
Lille
DOI :
10.1109/EPE.2013.6634735