Application and losses analysis of ANPC converters in doubly-fed induction generator wind energy conversion system

This paper presents the application and losses analysis of three-level active neutral-point-clamped (ANPC) back-to-back converters in a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind energy conversion system (WECS). A phase-shifted sinusoidal PWM strategy with the advantages of doubling the apparent switching frequency and better balancing loss distribution among switches is employed for the ANPC back-to-back converters. Comparative losses analysis between three-level ANPC and traditional NPC converters is conducted based on the applications in a 1.5 MW DFIG WECS. Moreover, dynamic modeling and control strategies for the DFIG WECS are introduced. Finally, simulation analysis of the three-level ANPC converters excited 1.5 MW DFIG WECS is carried out. The simulation results verified the advantages of ANPC converters and the corresponding modulation strategy on improving loss distribution and doubling apparent switching frequency in this WECS application.