Matrix converter with natural commutation

Power electronic devices and components are getting more and more attractive for power generation. It allows variable speed operation which is a key factor to pull up gas turbine or hydro plant efficiency. It is also the only way to use high speed turbogenerators, with substantial benefit on the size of the rotating machine. So far progress was made through sophistication of components and converters. Could a simplified, robust converter help extend the field of variable speed application? The guidelines to define a new frequency conversion principle as well as the expected benefits are reported on here. The converter principle and first experimental results and validation are presented.