Objective:This paper analyses the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) topology, where each individual Sub Module (SM), in half bridge configuration, is directly fed by an elementary electrochemical cell.Methods:The aim is to investigate how the reference voltages influence the cells currents waveforms, determining how the active powers and the losses are distributed among the cells. Considering a 2-level Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) topology working in the same conditions, the ratio between the MMC total cells losses and VSI total cells losses is calculated. After showing the system architecture and mathematical model, the cells current waveform investigation is presented and detailed both for triangular and sinusoidal voltage reference waveform.Results:Finally, the results are critically discussed with particular focus on the comparison between the MMC and the VSI topologies.
