Controlling the ac-side voltage waveform in a modular multilevel converter with low energy-storage capability

During nominal operation of a modular multilevel converter the stored energy in the submodule capacitors will vary with time. If the energy storage capability of the capacitors is relatively small compared to the energy variations, this will give large variations in the capacitor voltages. These voltage variations will distort the ac-side voltage waveform and induce harmonic components in the current that is circulating between the dc terminals. The adverse effects on the ac-side voltage can be compensated for by identifying the factors that cause the distortion. It is shown that the compensation can be done by means of feed forward control while maintaining stable operating conditions and thus eliminating the need of additional stabilizing controllers. It is also shown that the voltage controller can be combined with a circulating current controller that removes the harmonics in the current that is circulating between the dc terminals. The functionality of the proposed controller is verified by both simulations and experimental results from a 10 kVA laboratory prototype. The simulations illustrate how the proposed controller successfully removes the distortion from the ac-side voltage waveform. The experimental results demonstrate stable operation during a step transient when the output power is increased by 125%.