High power solid-state step-up resonant Marx modulator with continuous output current for offshore wind energy systems

This paper presents a new solid-state step-up resonant Marx modulator (S³RM²) with a continuous output current for offshore wind energy applications. The developed topology is based on the Marx generator concept, where magnetic switches are replaced by solid-state switching devices. The proposed converter is characterized by resonant switching transitions to achieve minimal switching losses and maximum system efficiency. Therefore, a higher switching frequency is conceivable to attain a higher power density. A double module consists of the 4-active switches operating at the output voltage up to seven times as high as the input voltage. An appropriate output capacitor size is considered to eliminate output voltage ripples and work as charge storage. The series-modular and cascade configurations of the S³RM² have the advantage of being readily applicable to multilevel power switching converters with an arbitrary number of levels. The developed topology has been implemented on a 5-kW prototype converter to verify its feasibility.