The modular embedded multilevel converter: A voltage source converter with IGBTs and thyristors

Di Zhang, Rajib Datta, Andrew Rockhill, Qin Lei, Luis Garces

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents a new converter topology for voltage source converter based high voltage dc application, named modular embedded multilevel converter (MEMC). MEMC is based on a three level structure and consists of series-connected IGBT bridge stacks, like the popular modular multilevel converter (MMC) and series-connected thyristor stacks. The IGBT bridge stacks are leveraged to generate the output the voltage waveforms and to commute the thyristors. The basic operation principle and the methods to commutate the thyristors are explained in detail. Due to the three level structure, the total number of IGBT stacks are reduced by half compared with MMC, leading to much lower energy storage, weight, volume and system complexity. Also by replacing part of the IGBT stack in MMC with thyristor stack, both of the system conduction loss and switching loss can be further reduced. The simulation results proved the analysis and verified the feasibility and benefits of the proposed converter topology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationECCE 2016 - IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781509007370
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Event2016 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, ECCE 2016 - Milwaukee, United States
Duration: Sep 18 2016Sep 22 2016

Publication series

NameECCE 2016 - IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, Proceedings

Other

Other2016 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, ECCE 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMilwaukee
Period9/18/169/22/16

Keywords

  • HVDC
  • MEMC
  • MMC
  • Thyristor commutation
  • VSC

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Control and Optimization

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