Nowadays, the need for more contributions from renewable energy sources is rapidly growing. This is forced by many factors including the requirements to meet the targeted reductions of greenhouse gas emissions as well as improving the security of energy supply. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report 2016, the total installed capacity of solar energy was at least 227 GWs worldwide by the end of 2015 with an annual addition of about 50 GWs in 2015, making solar power the world’s fastest growing energy source. The majority of these are grid-connected photo voltaic (PV) solar power plants, which are required be integrated efficiently into the power grids to meet the requirements of power quality standards at the minimum total investment cost. For this, multilevel voltage source inverters (VSI) have been applied extensively in recent years. In practice, there is a trade-off between the inverter’s number of levels and the required size of output filter, which is a key optimisation area. The aim of this research is to propose a generic model to optimise the design number of levels for the Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter (CHB-MLI) and the size of output filter for medium voltage – high power applications. The model is based on key measures, including inverter power loss minimisation, efficient control for minimum total harmonic distortion (THD), minimisation of total system cost and proposing the optimum size of output filter. This research has made a contribution to knowledge in the optimisation of CHB-MLI for medium-voltage high-power applications, in particular, the trade-off optimisation of the inverter’s number of levels and the size of the output filter. The main contribution is the establishment and demonstration of a sound methodology and model based on multi-objective optimisation for the considered key measures of the trade-off model. Furthermore, this study has developed a generic precise model for conduction and switching loss calculation in multilevel inverters. Moreover, it applied Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimisation to provide a complete optimum solution for the problem of selective harmonic elimination (SHE) and suggests the optimum size of output passive power filter (PPF) for different levels CHB-MLIs. The proposed trade-off optimisation model presents an efficient tool for finding the optimum number of the inverter’s levels and the size of output filter, in which the integration system is at its lowest cost, based on optimisation dimensions and applied system constraints. The trade-off optimisation model is generic and can be applied to any multilevel inverter topologies and different power applications.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Diante da necessidade em aperfeiÃoar as tecnologias existentes para a conversÃo de energia elÃtrica em sistemas de alta potÃncia, este trabalho tem por finalidade projetar, analisar e implementar experimentalmente uma tÃcnica de modulaÃÃo com o intuito de reduzir o conteÃdo harmÃnico da tensÃo de saÃda em um inversor multinÃvel com capacitor flutuante de trÃs nÃveis. Algumas das diversas tÃcnicas de modulaÃÃo (PSPWM, LSPWM, HE-PWM e CSV-PWM) foram analisadas e implementadas no controlador digital FPGA a fim de comparar suas caracterÃsticas de desempenho com a tÃcnica de modulaÃÃo proposta. AlÃm disso, foi realizado o estudo de perdas da topologia de inversor multinÃvel com capacitor flutuante de trÃs nÃveis e a anÃlise teÃrica da distorÃÃo harmÃnica total da modulaÃÃo proposta. Finalmente, o desenvolvimento digital das tÃcnicas mostrou resultados coerentes, com formas de onda obtidas experimentalmente com alta qualidade de resoluÃÃo. A comparaÃÃo entre as estratÃgias de modulaÃÃo em termos de DHT resultou positivamente à modulaÃÃo proposta, cujos resultados experimentais de DHT nas tensÃes de linha na saÃda apresentaram o melhor desempenho para toda a faixa de Ãndices de modulaÃÃo comparadas Ãs tÃcnicas PSPWM, LSPWM-POD e CSV-PWM e uma reduÃÃo de atà 4,5% em relaÃÃo à HE-PWM. Isto comprova o estudo teÃrico realizado e sua aplicaÃÃo no inversor multinÃvel com capacitor flutuante de trÃs nÃveis. / Given the need to improve the existing technologies for electrical energy conversion into high power systems, this works purpose to design, analyze and implement a modulation technique that aims to reduce the output voltage harmonic content on the three-level flying capacitor multilevel inverter. Some of the various conventional modulation techniques (PSPWM, LSPWM, HE-PWM e CSV-PWM) have been analyzed and implemented in FPGA controller in order to compare their performance features with the proposed modulation technique. Furthermore, the losses study of the three-level flying capacitor multilevel inverter topology and the total harmonic distortion theoretical analysis of the proposed modulation technique have been made. Finally, the digital implementation of the techniques showed consistent results with experimentally obtained waveforms with high quality resolution. The comparison between the modulation strategies in the THD rates resulted positively for the proposed modulation, which THD experimental results in the line output voltage showed the best performance for all range of modulation indexes compared to techniques PSPWM, LSPWM-POD and CSV-PWM and the reduction of up to 4.5% better than HE-PWM. This proved the theoretical study done and its application in three-level flying capacitor multilevel inverter.

Esta dissertação de mestrado propõe desenvolver a modulação vetorial (space vector – SV) para um inversor trifásico multinível híbrido assimétrico de nove níveis por fase com ponte-H em cascata (cascaded H-bridge – CHB). A verificação do desempenho ocorre através de simulações em software de simulação matemática, e posterior comparações entre duas simulações realizadas, como também a comparação da simulação de melhor desempenho com simulações obtidas com a modulação por síntese de formas de onda quase-quadradas e a modulação híbrida. Para tanto, inicialmente são revisadas as topologias de inversores de frequência mais tradicionais na literatura, identificando as suas características para justificar a escolha da topologia híbrida assimétrica. Posteriomente são revisados os métodos de modulação para inversores de frequência, identificando na modulação vetorial vantagens para sintetização das tensões de linha. Após, são relacioanados trabalhos envolvendo a modulação space vector aplicada em inversores multiníveis. Em seguida, a modulação SV é desenvolvida para o inversor trifásico multinível híbrido assimétrico de nove níveis por fase com ponte-H em cascata, sendo realizadas as seguintes etapas: definição dos possíveis vetores de comutação (estados de chaveamento) do inversor proposto no espaço tridimensional e no plano α-β; identificação dos planos limites e dos planos de separação dos setores no plano α-β; obtenção das matrizes de decomposição e; definição da sequência de comutação. Os resultados, obtidos por meio de software de simulação matemática, dos gráficos das tensões de fase e tensões de linha, assim como os valores de distorção harmônica total (total harmonic distortion – THD), fator de distorção de primeira ordem (first order distortion factor – DF1), tensão de modo comum, espectro harmônico dos sinais das tensões (de fase e de linha) são analisados, sendo os índices de THD, DF1 e tensão de modo comum comparados entre duas sequências de comutação diferentes para o inversor proposto. Também, os valores desses índices são comparados com outras técnicas de modulação (modulação por síntese de formas de onda quase-quadradas (QQ) e a modulação híbrida). O desenvolvimento e os resultados das simulações da modulação SV na topologia híbrida assimétrica de nove níveis proposta, assim como as análises das comparações, apontam resultados satisfatórios, identificando um potencial grandioso da modulação SV desenvolvida. / This dissertation proposes to develop the space vector (SV) modulation for a three phase hybrid asymmetric multilevel inverter of nine levels per phase with cascaded H-bridge (CHB). Performance verification occurs through software simulations, and subsequent comparisons between two simulations performed, as well as the comparison of the best performance simulation with simulations obtained with the step wave modulation and hybrid modulation. To do this, the topologies of more traditional frequency inverters are reviewed in the literature, identifying their characteristics to justify the choice of hybrid asymmetric topology. Subsequently, the modulation methods for frequency inverters are reviewed, identifying the advantages of vector modulation for the synthesis of line voltages. Afterwards, works involving the space vector modulation applied in multilevel inverters are related. Then, the SV modulation is developed for a three phase hybrid asymmetric multilevel inverter of nine levels per phase with cascaded H-bridge (CHB). The following steps are performed: definition of the possible switching vectors (switching states) of the proposed inverter in three-dimensional space and in the plane α-β; identification of boundary planes and separation plans of sectors in the α-β plane; obtaining the decomposition matrices e; definition of the switching sequence. The results, obtained through mathematical simulation software, of the phase voltages and line voltages graphs, as well as the values of total harmonic distortion (THD), first order distortion factor (DF1), common mode voltage, harmonic spectrum of the voltage signals (phase and line) are analyzed, with THD, DF1 and common mode voltage indices being compared between two different switching sequences for the proposed inverter. In addition, the values of these indices are compared with other modulation techniques (step wave modulation and hybrid modulation). The development and results of the SV modulation simulations in the nine-level hybrid asymmetric topology proposed, as well as the comparative analyzes, indicate satisfactory results, identifying a great potential for SV modulation developed.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This Ph.D. Thesis proposes a comparison of modulation techniques, semiconductors devices technologies and topologies for multilevel inverters, in order to point out the multilevel drive system that presents the best performance for a given application. Initially, a comparison methodology is proposed which is based on selecting the switching frequency where all systems present 99% efficiency. The performance indeces included in this analysis are: semiconductor devices power losses, heat-sink volume, THD, DF1, DF2, common mode voltage and harmonic spectrum. For each topology of multilevel inverter it is made a comparison among the modulation techniques and semiconductor devices to obtain the set (modulation + semiconductor) that presents better overall performance. After, the comparisons for each topology, a comparison among the sets that present better results is made, leading to the choice of the best system for a given specific application. The modulation techniques that present the best performance for each multilevel inverter are implemented on an FPGA. Experimental results, such as inverters efficiency and output voltage waveform, are presented for a reduced scale prototype, with the intention of validating the models employed in this Phd Thesis. / Esta Tese de Doutorado propõe a comparação de técnicas de modulação, tecnologias de dispositivos semicondutores e topologias de inversores multiníveis, para realizar o apontamento do sistema de acionamento de média tensão que apresenta melhor desempenho para uma dada aplicação. Inicialmente é proposta uma metodologia de comparação, que tem como objetivo encontrar a frequência de comutação na qual cada sistema apresenta 99% de rendimento. Os índices de desempenho propostos para análise são: perdas nos dispositivos semicondutores, volume do dissipador, THD, DF1, DF2, tensão de modo comum e espectro harmônico. Para cada topologia de inversor multinível é efetuada uma comparação entre as técnicas de modulação e os dispositivos semicondutores selecionados, para determinar o conjunto (modulação + semicondutor) que apresentam os melhores resultados nos índices de desemplenho supracitados. Após as comparações para cada topologia, é realizada uma comparação entre os conjuntos que apresentaram melhor resultado, levando ao apontamento do sistema mais adequado para uma dada aplicação. As técnicas de modulação que apresentaram melhor desempenho para cada inversor multinível são implementadas em FPGA. Os resultados experimentais como rendimento dos inversores e formas de onda das tensões de saída são apresentados para protótipos de escala reduzida, objetivando validar alguns dos modelos empregados na Tese.

No description available.

This thesis is focused on voltage regulation in low voltage distribution system. It describes power management methods using photovoltaic inverters. The thesis describes the working PQ space of the inverter and the regulation characteristics of the active and reactive power in dependence on the voltage. The practical part focuses on the simulation of specific PQU control settings on the test models created in PSCAD. The model is used as a basis for real measurement. Outputs obtained from measurement and simulation are validated in the text. The last part of the thesis identifies limits for connecting resources with and without support.

The currently available tools to simulate solar photovoltaic (PV) systems do not offer a reliable solution to simulate string or module level inverter systems with partial shading and modules with mismatching electrical characteristics. The available methodologies to simulate this satisfying require computational power that is not commonly available. To make it possible to simulate these kinds of systems a methodology based around the software “System Advisory Model” (SAM) is proposed. The methodology assumes that shading is binary, meaning a module can either be fully shaded or not shaded at all. Two different global IV curve models are presented and evaluated in comparison with a more detailed Matlab global IV model based on the one diode equivalent circuit. All these methodologies disregards the impact of the bypass diodes in the PV module and this is considered a significant error, which has to be quantified. It is proposed that this should be done by using the two-diode equivalent circuit instead of the one diode model. Finally the methodology is not concluded to be reliable until verified in comparison with real world data. / De för närvarande tillgängliga simuleringsverktygen för solcellssystem erbjuder inte en tillförlitlig metod för simulering av delvis skuggade system eller system med moduler med olika elektriska egenskaper. De metoder som är tillgängliga för att simulera detta tillförlitligt kräver datorkraft som inte är allmäntillgänglig. För att göra det möjligt att simulera dessa typer av system föreslås en metod baserad kring programvaran "System Advisory Model" (SAM). Metoden utgår från antagandet att skuggning är binärt, vilket innebär att en modul kan antingen vara helt skuggad eller inte skuggad alls. Två olika globala IV-modeller presenteras och utvärderas i jämförelse med en detaljerad Matlab global IV-modell baserad på enkel-diods ekvivalenta kretsen. Denna metod bortser dock från effekterna av bypass-dioderna i PV-modulen och detta antas medföra betydande fel som måste kvantifieras, detta bör då göras med hjälp av två-diods ekvivalenta kretsen. Slutligen så kan metoden inte anses pålitlig förrän den har blivit verifierad med verkliga data.

No description available.

Cascaded H-bridge (CHB) multilevel inverters have significant popularity with motor drives applications due to their modularity, scalability, and reliability. Typical CHB inverters employ diode rectifiers that allow unidirectional power flow from the grid to the load. To capture and utilize the regenerated energy in regenerative applications, regenerative CHB drives were introduced with two-level voltage source converters in the front end to allow bidirectional energy flow. This solution is accompanied by challenges of high number of switches and control circuits, high switching power losses, and massive dimensions. Recently, developing more economic versions of regenerative cascaded H-bridge drives has become one of the hottest topics in power electronics research. In this thesis work, two solutions are proposed for more energy efficient and economic regenerative CHB drives. The first solution is a proposed power cell configuration that reduces the number of switches per cell by two. Additionally, phase alternation connection method and carrier phase-shifting techniques are introduced to address the challenges of the presented configuration. The switch-count reduction reduces the system’s complexity, switches’ cost, and footprint. The second proposed solution is a new controller to operate the front-end converters as fundamental frequency ends (FFEs). The proposed controller is employed in both the conventional regenerative cascaded H-bridge and the proposed reduced switch-count configuration. This solution minimizes the switching power losses, and results in more compact and economic design, with higher DC-link utilization. Theoretical analysis and simulation studies of both proposed solutions show promising performance and capability to be applied as energy-efficient and cost effective regenerative CHB motor drives. Experimental validation of the proposed reduced switch-count configuration is presented for STATCOM operation of a scaled-down 7-Level regenerative CHB drive system. The future work of this thesis includes experimental validation of the proposed FFE controller, and operation of the system with regenerative motor load. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

High power converters are widely used in many industries. At power levels in the range of Mega Watt (MW), power conversion at medium voltage (MV) is preferred due to better efficiency and lower cost. For medium voltages applications, multilevel converters are widely adopted due to the features they offer with respect to two-level converters. Cascaded H-bridge topology is a widely adopted multilevel topology because of its modularity, scalability, and reliability. The conventional cascaded H-bridge topology allows two-quadrant operation. In order to allow fourquadrant operation, an active front end version of the cascaded H-bridge topology has been proposed in literature and recently commercialized. In the field, power converters operates under harsh loading and environmental conditions. The resulting stresses imposed on converter components cause their gradual degradation. In cascaded H-bridge converters, typically power cell components such as power modules, DC-bus capacitors, and control PCBs are v highly stressed. Under these stresses power cell components degrade and require replacement in the field, otherwise unexpected failures may occur. The thesis aim is to address power cell components reliability through proposing novel regenerative cascaded H-bridge converter control schemes to reduce components stresses and failure probability without increasing size, cost, or complexity. First, a novel PWM active front end control scheme has been proposed to reduce the inherent ripple current stresses on the DC-bus capacitors. Second, the thesis proposes a novel grid or near grid switching frequency front end control scheme to reduce stresses on power modules and the power cell cooling requirements. Third, novel cascaded H-bridge front end control schemes are proposed to reduce the sensor count, thereby decreasing failure rate and cutting down cost. The proposed work has been thoroughly validated through detailed 9- cell regenerative cascaded H-bridge system simulation and experimentation. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)