Analysis and control of DC voltage ripple for modular multilevel converters under single line to ground fault

This paper deals with DC voltage ripple suppression of the modular multilevel converter (MMC) under single-line-to-ground (SLG) fault condition. First, the instantaneous power of a phase unit is derived theoretically according to the equivalent circuit model of the MMC under unbalanced condition, providing a mathematical explanation of the double-line frequency ripple contained in the dc voltage. Moreover, different characteristics of phase current during three possible SLG faults are analyzed and compared. Based on the derivation and analysis, a quasi-PR controller is proposed to suppress the dc voltage ripple. The proposed controller, combining with the negative and/or zero sequence current controllers, could enhance the overall fault-tolerant capability of the MMC under different types of SLG faults. In addition, no extra cost will be introduced given that only DC voltage is required to be detected. Simulation results from a three-phase MMC based rectifier system generated with the Matlab/Simulink software are provided to support the theoretical considerations.