A new generalized two-stage direct power conversion topology to independently supply multiple AC loads from multiple power grids with adjustable power loading

Normally, a power converter has one supply port to connect to the power grid and one output port to connect to an AC load that requires variable voltage and variable frequency. Converter topologies with multiple output ports, the so-called multi-drive converters are also used in order to share the cost of an active front-end rectifier. As the trend on the energy market is towards deregulation, new converter topologies are needed to allow independent producers/consumers to connect to multiple distribution grids in order to minimize the electricity price. Having the possibility to adjust smoothly the power drawn from different suppliers, which distribute electrical energy at different cost, quality, reliability will become an interesting option. Having a generator able to feed simultaneously fractions of its power into multiple unsynchronized grids (different voltage, frequency, displacement angle) and continuously adjust these power fractions will become a desired feature. This paper presents a generalized direct power converter topology, which is able to connect to multiple AC supplies providing complete decoupling and no circulating power between the input ports and to independently control multiple AC loads. More important, it is possible to adjust continuously the fraction of output power which is drawn from each power supply while providing sine-wave in and sine-wave out operation. Simulation results confirm the viability of this idea.