This thesis describes the flexible voltage control of a multi-level-voltage-reinjection voltage source converter. The main purposes are to achieve reactive power generation flexibility when applied for HVdc transmission systems, reduce dynamic voltage balancing for direct series connected switches and an improvement of high power converter efficiency and reliability. Waveform shapes and the impact on ac harmonics caused by the modulation process are studied in detail. A configuration is proposed embracing concepts of multi level, soft-switching and harmonic cancellation. For the configuration, the firing sequence, waveform analysis, steady-state and dynamic performances and close-loop control strategies are presented. In order not to severely compromise the original advantages of the converter, the modulated waveforms are proposed based on the restrictions imposed mathematically by the harmonic cancellation concept and practically by the synthesis circuit complexity and high switching losses. The harmonic impact on the ac power system prompted by the modulation process is studied from idealistic and practical aspects. The circuit topology being proposed in this thesis is developed from a 12-pulse bridge and a converter used classically for inverting power from separated dc sources. Switching functions are deduced and current paths through the converter are analysed. Safe and steady-state operating regions of the converter are studied in phasor diagrams to facilitate the design of simple controllers for active power transfer and reactive power generations. An investigation into the application of this topology to the back-to-back VSC HVdc interconnection is preformed via EMTDC simulations.

This thesis is an effort to investigate the operation and the performanceof modular multilevel converters (M2Cs). Proven to be the most promisingtopology in high-voltage high-power applications, it is necessary to put aneffort in understanding the physical laws that govern the internal dynamicsof such converters, in order to design appropriate control methods. AlthoughM2Cs belong to the well-studied family of voltage-source converters (VSCs),and claim a modular structure, their control is significantly more complicatedcompared to two- or three-level VSCs, due to the fact that a much highernumber of switches and capacitors are needed in such a topology. This thesishighlights the important parameters that should be considered when designingthe control for an M2C, through analyzing its internal dynamics, and alsosuggests ways to control such converters ensuring stable operation withoutcompromising the performance of the converter.Special focus is given on ac motor-drive applications as they are very demandingand challenging for the converter performance. Interactions betweenthe internal dynamics and the dynamics of the driven motor are experimentallyinvestigated. The problem of operating the converter when connectedto a motor standing still is visited, even under the condition that a greatamount of torque and current are requested, in order to provide an idea forthe converter requirements under such conditions. Finally, an optimization ofthe converter operation is suggested in order to avoid overrating the convertercomponents in certain operation areas that this is possible.All analytical investigations presented in this thesis are confirmed by experimentalresults on a laboratory prototype converter, which was developedfor the purposes of this project. Experimental verification proves the validityof the theoretical investigations, as well as the correct performance of thecontrol methods developed during this project on a real, physical converter,hoping that the results of this thesis will be useful for large-scale implementations,in the mega- or even giga-watt power range. / Denna avhandling är ett försök att undersöka drift och egenskaper avmodulära multinivåomvandlare (M2C:er). Eftersom denna topologi anses varaden mest lovande inom högspänings-högeffekt-tillämpningar är, och somett underlag för att kunna formulera lämpliga styrmetoder, är det nödvändigtatt lägga kraft i att försöka förståde fysikaliska lagar som styr den inredynamiken i sådana omvandlare. Även om M2C:erna tillhör den välstuderadefamiljen av spänningsstyva omvandlare (VSC:er), och har en modulärstruktur, är deras reglering avsevärt mer komplicerad jämfört med två- ellertre-nivåomvandlare, eftersom ett mycket större antal switchar och kondensatorerär nödvändiga i en sådan topologi. Denna avhandling sätter fingretpå de parametrar som måste beaktas när man konstruerar regleringen för enM2C, genom att analysera den interna dynamiken, samt att föreslå sätt attstyra sådana omvandlare såatt stabil drift kan säkerställas utan att negativtpåverka prestanda.Ett speciellt fokus läggs på växelströmsmotordrifter eftersom de är särskiltutmanande vad gäller prestanda. Växelverkan mellan den interna dynamikenoch motorns dynamik undersöks experimentellt. Problemet att driva motornvid stillestånd behandlas även i fallet med hög ström och högt moment för atterhålla kunskap om kraven påomvandlaren i sådana fall. Slutligen föreslås enoptimering av omvandlarens drifttillstånd för att undvika överdimensioneringav omvandlarens komponenter i de fall detta är möjligt.Alla analytiska undersökningar som läggs fram i denna avhandling är bekräftadegenom experimentella resultat från en laboratorieomvandlare, somutvecklats inom ramen för detta arbete. Den experimentella verifieringen bevisargiltigheten av alla teoretiska undersökningar. Den visar också på demycket goda prestanda som de utvecklade styrmetoderna har vid drift aven verklig fysisk omvandlare. Förhoppningen är att resultaten från detta arbetekan komma till använding i storskaliga implementerinar i mega- ellergiga-wattklassen. / <p>QC 20141201</p>

[pt] O incremento de geração fotovoltaica de grande porte traz consideráveis mudanças nas características operativas e dinâmicas do sistema quando este é submetido a grandes distúrbios. Um dos problemas técnicos mais relevantes é a estabilidade transitória, já que a geração intermitente ligada ao sistema por conversores eletrônicos não contribui para o aumento da inércia total do sistema. Entretanto, os conversores eletrônicos podem, potencialmente, trazer novas oportunidades de controle rápido para dar suporte aos geradores síncronos em resposta a um distúrbio severo. No presente trabalho propõe uma estratégia de controle para inversores fotovoltaicos baseado na injeção da corrente com um grande impacto na resposta transitória do ângulo do rotor da máquina síncrona, identificada através da análise de sensibilidade dos autovalores e dos fatores de participação. Ao fazer isso, é possível aumentar a potência ativa da máquina síncrona próximo do seu valor pré-falta, reduzindo o desequilíbrio entre o torque elétrico e mecânico. A estratégia de controle proposta foi testada experimentalmente, utilizando um inversor e uma montagem máquina síncrona-motor e, através da simulação de um sistema híbrido com um sistema fotovoltaico de grande porte. Os resultados mostram que a estratégia de controle proposta não está apenas em conformidade com os requisitos dos código da rede para melhorar a estabilidade da tensão durante uma perturbação grave, mas também é capaz de manter a estabilidade transitória da rede provando, assim, ser uma melhor alternativa em relação à capacidade FRT requerida pelos códigos de rede. / [en] The increase in photovoltaic generation has caused changes in the power system s operative and dynamic characteristics when subjected to severe disturbances. One of the most relevant problems associated with this renewable energy source is the transient stability, as renewable generation connected to the system by electronic converters does not contrinute to the increase of the total inertia of the system. However, electronic converters can potentially bring new opportunities for rapid control to support synchronous generators in response to severe disturbance. The present work proposes a control strategy for photovoltaic inverters based on the injection of the current with a major impact on the transient response of the synchronous machine rotor angle, identified through the eigenvalue sensitivity analysis and the participation factors. By doing so, it is possible to increase the synchronous machine active power output close to its pre-fault value, reducing the disequilibrium between mechanical and electrical torque. The proposed control strategy was experimentally tested using an inverter and a synchronous-motor machine assembly and, by simulating a hybrid system with a large photovoltaic system. The results show that the proposed control strategy not only conforms to the grid codes requirements to improve voltage stability during a severe disturbance, but is also able to maintain transient stability thus proving to be a better alternative to the FRT capability required by the grid codes.

Three-level diode-clamped inverter is being widely used these days. Extensive research has been carried out on pulse width modulation (PWM) strategies for a three-level inverter. The most widely used PWM strategies are sine-triangle pulse width modulation (SPWM) and centered space vector pulse width modulation (CSVPWM). The influence of these PWM strategies on the DC-link capacitor current and voltage ripple is studied in this thesis. The sizing of the DC capacitor depends on value of the maximum RMS current flowing through it. In this work, an analytical expression for capacitor RMS current is derived as a function of operating conditions like modulation index, power factor angle of the load and peak load current. The worst case current stress on the capacitor is evaluated using the analytical expression. The capacitor RMS current is found to be the same in SPWM and CSVPWM schemes. The analytical expression is validated through simulations and experiments on a 3kVA MOSFET based three-level inverter. Harmonic analysis of the capacitor current is helpful in better evaluation of capacitor power loss. Therefore, harmonic analysis of the capacitor current is carried out, using the techniques of geometric wall model and double Fourier integral for SPWM and CSVPWM schemes. The theoretical predictions are validated through experiments. The capacitor RMS current is divided into low-frequency RMS current (where low frequency component is defined as a component whose frequency is less than half the switching frequency) and high-frequency RMS current. The capacitor voltage ripple is estimated analytically for SPWM and CSVPWM schemes, using the low-frequency and high-frequency capacitor RMS current. The voltage ripples due to SPWM and CSVPWM schemes are compared. It is found that the voltage ripple with SPWM is higher than that with CSVPWM. A simplified method to estimate the capacitor power loss, without the requirement of FFT analysis of capacitor current, is proposed. The results from this simplified method agree reasonably well with the results from the detailed method. A space vector based modulation scheme is proposed, which reduces the capacitor RMS current at high power factor angles. However, the proposed method leads to higher total harmonic distortion (THD) than CSVPWM. Simulation and experimental results, comparing CSVPWM and the proposed PWM, are presented.

This thesis deals with the utilization of new principles of characterization of gate capacitances for sigma-delta modulators. Sigma-delta modulators are the integral part of sigma-delta analog-to-digital converters. The proposed new method is characterized by high resolution and modest requirements for laboratory equipment. It allows characterizing capacitances whose values are within the range which is used in sigma-delta modulators. The thesis contains description of the new method, the analysis of measurement accuracy and experimental results.