Title :
A flexible modular multi-level converter for DC microgrids with EV charging stations
Author :
Maneiro, Jose ; Hassan, Foyzul
Author_Institution :
Alstom Grid Res. & Technol. Centre, Stafford, UK
Abstract :
This paper proposes a modular multilevel converter (MMCon) as a flexible interface for DC microgrids. The operation of this converter is examined for a microgrid integrating highly intermittent loads and storage. Electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations are the chosen example of intermittent loads in the microgrid. The MMCon provides flexibility for a future increase of the microgrid´s capacity thanks to its high scalability allowing for the accommodation of new loads and energy sources through retrofitting additional parallel modules. A control strategy for the converter is proposed and the operation during demand side control of the microgrid is validated through computer simulation.
Keywords :
battery powered vehicles; distributed power generation; power convertors; power generation control; power generation reliability; DC microgrid; EV charging station; MMCon; computer simulation; demand side control; electric vehicle fast charging station; flexible interface; flexible modular multilevel converter; high scalability; retrofitting;
Conference_Titel :
Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC), 2013 Twenty-Eighth Annual IEEE
Conference_Location :
Long Beach, CA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-4354-1
Electronic_ISBN :
1048-2334
DOI :
10.1109/APEC.2013.6520469