Harmonic Analysis and Neutral-Point Potential Control of Interleaved Parallel Three-Level Inverters for Flywheel Energy Storage System

Flywheel energy storage system is a popular energy storage technology, in which inverters are the center of electrical energy conversion, directly affecting the power capacity. Parallel operation of three-level inverters is an effective approach to achieve larger motor drive power and the interleaved operation can improve the harmonic characteristics. However, harmonic analysis models of the interleaved parallel three-level inverters are rare in the literature and how the neutral-point potential imbalance affects the harmonics characteristics has not been discussed. This article establishes the harmonic calculation for balanced and unbalanced neutral-point potential through the five-level voltage capability of the interleaved parallel three-level inverters. Moreover, a neutral-point potential control method based on zero-sequence voltage injection is proposed. The implement process of the method is proposed, and how the operating frequency affect the ability of the neutral-point potential balance is studied. Finally, the simulation and experiment results verify the feasibility and practicability of the established harmonic analysis models and the neutral-point potential control method.

Control Method of Four Wire Active Power Filter Based on Three-Phase Neutral Point Clamped T-Type Converter

An active power filter based on a three-level neutral point clamped T-type converter with LCL input filter is presented in the paper. The main goal of the paper is the analysis of a control system that ensures independent control of a current in each phase. The presented control method of the filter allows reactive power compensation and/or a higher harmonics reduction to be achieved in each phase independently, with the possibility of control tan (φ) coefficient. This allows the power flow between the phases to be minimalized and reduces the RMS values of filter currents without the need to balance grid currents. The analysis presents the possibility of an operation in different modes, which was verified by experimental results. The results have been obtained in a 20 ARMS laboratory system described in the paper. The results reveal relatively low power losses, which are a feature of the selected three-level T-type topology. Additionally, that topology, when compared to a two-level one, ensures the reduction in current ripples with the same parameters of passive components.

Virtual Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation for Asymmetric T-Type Neutral Point Clamped 3-Level Inverter

This paper proposes a novel 3-phase asymmetric 3-level T-type NPC inverter and studies its PWM performance using a virtual space vector pulse width modulation control strategy. Firstly, the mathematical model and characteristics of this economical topology are described. Then, a virtual space vector approach is proposed to build a space vector diagram for designing SVPWM control. Similar to the conventional 3-level NPC inverter, the asymmetric inverter can also work with the neutral point voltage self-balancing in a fundamental period, which enables employment of this topology in various applications. Finally, simulation and experiment results under different load conditions have shown good output performance of the asymmetric 3-level topology. Similar tests are also performed on both conventional 2-level and 3-level inverters for comparison. For an almost similar number of different voltage vectors in the space vector diagram, the asymmetric 3-level topology can compete with conventional 3-level inverters for low-cost applications. The obvious benefit of the asymmetric 3-level inverter is a smaller number of switches devices while it can achieve output performance similar to that of the conventional 3-level. The comparative investigation also shows that the total loss given by SVPWM for the asymmetric 3-level configuration is lower than that of the traditional 3-level inverter.

A Carrier-Based Discontinuous PWM Strategy of NPC Three-Level Inverter for Common-Mode Voltage and Switching Loss Reduction

For the conventional carrier-based pulse width modulation (CBPWM) strategies of neutral point clamped (NPC) three-level inverters, the higher common-mode voltage (CMV) is a major drawback. However, with CMV suppression strategies, the switching loss is relatively high. In order to solve the above issue, a carrier-based discontinuous PWM (DPWM) strategy for NPC three-level inverter is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the reference voltage is modified by the twice injection of zero-sequence voltage. Switching states of the three-phase are clamped alternatively to reduce both the CMV and the switching loss. Secondly, the carriers are also modified by the phase opposite disposition of the upper and lower carriers. The extra switching at the border of two adjacent regions in the space vector diagram is reduced. Meanwhile, a neutral-point voltage (NPV) control method is also presented. The duty cycle of the switching state that affects the NPV is adjusted to obtain the balance control of the NPV. Still, the switching sequence in each carrier period remains the same. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed DPWM strategy are tested on a rapid control prototype platform based on RT-Lab.

A grid interconnected nested neutral point clamped inverter with voltage synchronization using synchronous reference frame controller

<p><span lang="EN-US">Nested neutral point clamped multi level inverter with inter connection to grid through the synchronous reference frame (SRF) controller for synchronization of voltage to the grid is demonstrated. The system's main feature is that voltage stress in each inverter switching device is kept to a minimum, and redundant inverter switching states are utilised for neutral point and flying capacitor voltage balancing with sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (PWM) technique, synchronisation to grid voltages, and power injection with low harmonic generation. The inverter receives its input from a photovoltaic (PV) source that is coupled to DC-DC booster converters that are regulated by the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) incremental conductance algorithm to maintain a constant dc voltage. The system is examined under various load conditions with MATLAB Simulink model.</span></p>

Multi-carrier switching strategy for high-bandwidth potential balancing control of multilevel inverters

<span lang="EN-US">This paper confers on investigation of a direct torque control (DTC) of induction motor drive by 3 level neutral point clamp (NPC) multilevel inverter. The imbalance problem may deteriorate the electric drive performances which might cause a short circuit condition. Various balancing control strategies were proposed, however, most of them employed complex space vector modulation (SVM) and hysteresis-based controller that generates variable switching frequencies. The proposed method will offer a reliable balancing control strategy with a constant switching frequency, and moreover, it will provide excellent electric drive performances. This research proposed a new multi carrier switching modulation strategy that establish a high-band-width control for neutral point potential in the NPC inverter. Potency of the proposed high-bandwidth potential balancing strategy is validated through the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment.</span>

A grid interconnected nested neutral-point clamped inverter with voltage synchronization using synchronous reference frame controller

<p><span lang="EN-US">Nested neutral-point clamped multi level inverter with inter connection to grid through the synchronous reference frame (SRF) controller for synchronization of voltage to the grid is demonstrated. The system's main feature is that voltage stress in each inverter switching device is kept to a minimum, and redundant inverter switching states are utilised for neutral point and flying capacitor voltage balancing with sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (PWM) technique, synchronisation to grid voltages, and power injection with low harmonic generation. The inverter receives its input from a photovoltaic (PV) source that is coupled to DC-DC booster converters that are regulated by the maximum power point <span lang="EN-US">(MPP)</span> tracking incremental conductance algorithm to maintain a constant dc voltage. The system is examined under various load conditions with MATLAB/Simulink model.</span></p>