2nd National Conference on Computing, Electrical, Electronics and Sustainable Energy Systems (NCCEESES-2017), 6-7 July 2017

Organized by Department by EEE, Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajahmundry

A New Transformerless Modular Multilevel

Converters (MMC) Based on Half-Bridge Converters
at Distribution Level
N.Sailaja T. Amar Kiran
PG Scholar, Department of EEE Associate Professor, Department of EEE
GIET (A) GIET (A)
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract— This thesis presents a new family of converters for specific end goal to keep up or even to enhance the power-
high power interconnection of dc buses with different voltage levels. supply unwavering quality and quality. Also, progression of
Proposed converters achieve high voltage dc-dc conversion without the matrices prompts new administration structures, in which
an intermediate ac conversion stage. This function is implemented exchanging of vitality and power is ending up noticeably
without series connection of active switches, or the use of isolation progressively vital. The power-electronic innovation assumes
transformers. The salient features of proposed converters are (i) a critical part in appropriated era and in incorporation of
design and construction simplicity, (ii) low switching losses through renewable vitality sources into the electrical framework, and it
soft turn-on and soft turn-off, (iii) single stage dc-dc conversion
is generally utilized and quickly growing as these applications
without high-current chopping, (iv) modular structure, (v) equal
voltage sharing among the converter modules. turn out to be more coordinated with the matrix based
Three converter circuits are investigated. The first performs frameworks.
unidirectional power transfer from a dc bus with higher voltage to a Amid the most recent couple of years, power gadgets has
dc bus with lower voltage. The second performs unidirectional experienced a quick development, which is fundamentally
power transfer from a dc bus with lower voltage to a dc bus with because of two variables. The first is the advancement of
higher voltage. Both converters are suitable for interconnecting quick semiconductor switches that are fit for exchanging
single pole dc buses with same polarity, or double pole dc buses. A rapidly and dealing with high powers. The second component
third converter is also presented which performs the function of is the presentation of continuous PC controllers that can
either the first or the second converter with polarity reversal. The
actualize progressed and complex control calculations. These
third converter is suitable for interconnecting single pole dc buses
with different polarities, or double pole dc buses. By variables together have prompted the advancement of savvy
hybridintegration of the proposed three converters, the thesis also and network well disposed converters.
investigates other topologies for bidirectional power transfer Renewable vitality source (RES) coordinated at circulation
between two dc buses. level is named as dispersed era (DG). The utility is worried
Proposed converters operate only in discontinuous conduction because of the high infiltration level of discontinuous RES in
mode and exhibit soft switching operation for the active and passive dissemination frameworks as it might represent a risk to
switches. A common feature between the proposed converters is the organize as far as dependability, voltage direction and power-
self current turn-off for the active switches at zero voltage. This quality (PQ) issues. In this way, the DG frameworks are
allows the use of thyristors as active switches alleviating their
required to agree to strict specialized and administrative
reverse recovery losses. For each converter topology, the structure
is presented, its operation principle is explained and a complete set structures to guarantee sheltered, solid and productive
of design equations are derived. Comparisons are performed on operation of general system. With the headway in power
high-power and high-voltage design examples. The merits and gadgets and computerized control innovation, the DG
limitations of each converter are concluded. Practical frameworks can now be effectively controlled to upgrade the
considerations regarding components selection, loss analysis, filter framework operation with enhanced PQ at PCC. Be that as it
design and the non-idealities of the circuits are studied. may, the broad utilization of force hardware based gear and
Experimental implementation of scaled-down laboratory prototypes non-direct loads at PCC create symphonious streams, which
is presented to provide a proof of concept and validate the operation may break down the nature of force [1], [2].
principle of the proposed converter topologies.
By and large, current controlled voltage source inverters are
I. INTRODUCTION utilized to interface the irregular RES in conveyed framework.
The expanding number of renewable vitality sources As of late, a couple control systems for framework associated
and circulated generators requires new systems for the inverters consolidating PQ arrangement have been proposed.
operation and administration of the power matrix with a In [3] an inverter works as dynamic inductor at a specific

Journal of Science and Technology (ISSN: 2456-5660), Volume 2, Special Issue 1, July 2017 30
 2nd National Conference on Computing, Electrical, Electronics and Sustainable Energy Systems (NCCEESES-2017), 6-7 July 2017
Organized by Department by EEE, Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajahmundry

recurrence to ingest the symphonious current. However, the 2. Common-Mode (CM) voltage: Multilevel converters
correct computation of system inductance continuously is produce smaller CM voltage; therefore, the stress in the
troublesome and may fall apart the control execution. A bearings of a motor connected to a multilevel motor drive
3. Input current: Multilevel converters can draw input current
comparative approach in which a shunt dynamic channel goes
with low distortion.
about as dynamic conductance to soggy out the sounds in 4. Switching frequency: Multilevel converters can operate at
dispersion system is proposed in [4]. In [5], a control system both fundamental switching frequency and high switching
for renewable interfacing inverter in view of – hypothesis is frequency PWM. It should be noted that lower switching
proposed. In this system both load and inverter current frequency usually means lower switching loss and higher
detecting is required to remunerate the heap current sounds efficiency.
[7]. The non-direct load current sounds may bring about Unfortunately, the multilevel converters do have some
disadvantages. One particular disadvantage is the greater
voltage music and can make a genuine PQ issue in the power
number of power semiconductor switches needed. Although
framework arrange. Dynamic power channels (APF) are lower voltage rated switches can be utilized in a multilevel
broadly used to remunerate the heap current music and load converter, each switch requires a related gate drive circuit
unbalance at dissemination level. This outcomes in an extra [40]. This may cause the overall system to be more expensive
equipment cost. In any case, in this paper creators have joined and complex. Plentiful multilevel converter topologies have
the elements of APF in the, customary inverter interfacing been proposed during the last two decades. Contemporary
renewable with the matrix, with no extra equipment cost. research has engaged novel converter topologies and unique
modulation schemes.
Here, the fundamental thought is the greatest usage of inverter
In recent years, new industrial applications for medium
rating which is more often than not underutilized because of and high voltage motors (which may require voltages in
discontinuous nature of RES [8]. megawatts ranges) applied these inverters which can be used
as an alternative to the power of a multilevel converter for
high and medium renewable energy sources. The use of
multilevel converters has been started since 1975, which is in
II. MUTLTILEVEL INVERTER STRUCTURES fact the development of the two-level converters. Purpose of
the use of multilevel converters, access to a high power is the
A. Importance of multilevel inverter key to a series of semiconductor strength and low DC voltage
A power inverter, or inverter, is an electronic device or sources for energy conversion based on elements such as
circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current capacitors, batteries and renewable energy sources is
(AC). The input voltage, output voltage and frequency, and implemented. Using the appropriate switching and considering
overall power handling depend on the design of the specific several sources of input DC converters, high voltage can be
device or circuitry. obtained in a multilevel converter output. Multilevel
The importance of multilevel inverters has been increased converters have advantages and disadvantages compared to
since last few decades. These new types of inverters are two level converters considering switching frequency and
suitable for high voltage and high power application due to Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) can include. 1- Quality of the
their ability to synthesize waveforms with better harmonic AC output waveform: a multilevel converter cannot only
spectrum and with less Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). produce a voltage output with extremely low distortion, also
Numerous topologies have been introduced and widely studied capable of decreased stress dv /dt. So the problem of
for utility of non-conventional sources and also for drive electromagnetic interference (EMI) can be reduced. 2 - Less
Common Mode voltage (CM): less CM voltage multilevel
B. Main feature of Multi-Level Inverter (MLI)
converters and therefore less stress on the motor bearings as
1. Ability to reduce the voltage stress on each power device well as semiconductor components connected to a multi-level
due to the utilization of multiple levels on the DC bus. inverter will be reduced. 3 - The input source: the use of
2. Important when a high DC side voltage is imposed by an multilevel converters can already having low distortion input
application (e.g. traction systems). sources, problems related to power quality in distribution
3. Even at low switching frequencies, smaller distortion in the systems to overcome. 4 - Switching frequency: multilevel
multilevel inverter AC side waveform can be achieved (with converters can be both primary and high switching frequency
stepped modulation technique). to be used. Lower switching frequency usually means higher
C. Advantages of Multi-Level Inverter (MLI) efficiency as well. The disadvantages of multilevel converters
can also be summarized as follows: 1 - To be expensive due to
A multilevel converter has several advantages over a the high number of switching elements (which cannot be
conventional two-level converter that uses high switching economically affordable.) 2 - Design complexity due to the
frequency pulse width modulation (PWM). The attractive lack of sufficient knowledge (creates problems) 3 - Different
features of a multilevel converter can be briefly summarized techniques for controlling converters, multilevel provided.
as follows. Example can be pulse width modulation sine, eliminating the
1. Staircase waveform quality: Multilevel converters not only harmonic selective modulation vector space mentioned. Most
can generate the output voltages with very low distortion, but important applications of inverters multilevel can to drive
also can reduce the dv/dt stresses; therefore Electro Magnetic motors, medium voltage, transmission systems AC flexible
Compatibility (EMC) problems can be reduced. and renewable energy sources are connected to the grid . In

Journal of Science and Technology (ISSN: 2456-5660), Volume 2, Special Issue 1, July 2017 31
 2nd National Conference on Computing, Electrical, Electronics and Sustainable Energy Systems (NCCEESES-2017), 6-7 July 2017
Organized by Department by EEE, Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajahmundry

this section, the advantages and disadvantages of multilevel

converters, kind of actives switch usage, how to charge and
discharge the closing of diodes and capacitors of the converter
structure and especially for the inverter connected to the grid
will be reviewed

III. MODULAR MULTILEVEL CONVERTER

3.1 Description and principle of operation of MMC
The typical structure of a MMC is shown in Fig. 2, and the
configuration of a Sub-Module (SM) is given in Fig. 3. Each
SM is a simple chopper cell composed of two IGBT switches
Figure 3.2 – Chopper cell of a Sub-Module
(T1 and T2), two anti-parallel diodes (D1 and D2) and a
capacitor C.
Each phase leg of the converter has two arms, each one
constituted by a number N of SMs. In each arm there is also a
small inductor to compensate for the voltage difference
between upper and lower arms produced when a SM is
switched in or out.

Figure 3.3 - States of SM and current paths

Figure 3.4 - Schematic of one phase of Three-Level Converter

In this case, in order to get the positive output, +UD/2, the two
upper SMs 1 and 2 are bypassed. Accordingly, for the
Figure 3.1 - Schematic of a three-phase Modular Multi-level Converter
negative output, - UD/2, the two lower SMs 3 and 4 are
With reference to the SM shown in Fig. 3.1 the output voltage bypassed. The zero state can be obtained through two possible
UO is given by, switch configurations. The first one is when the two SMs in
UO = UC if T1 is ON and T2 is OFF the middle of a leg (2 and 3) are bypassed, and the second one
UO = 0 if T1 is OFF and T2 is ON is when the end SMs of a leg (1 and 4) are bypassed. It has to
where UC is the instantaneous capacitor voltage. be noted that the current flows through the SMS that are not
The configuration with T1 and T2 both ON should not be by passed determining the charging or discharging of the
considered because it determines a short circuit across the capacitors depending on the current direction. Therefore, in
capacitor. Also the configuration with T1 and T2 both OFF is order to keep the capacitor voltages balanced, both zero states
not useful as it produces different output voltages depending must be used alternatively. The voltage waveform generated
on the current direction. Fig. 3.2 shows the current flows in by the three level converters is shown in Fig. 3.5
both useful states. In a MMC the number of steps of the output
voltage is related to the number of series connected SMs. In
order to show how the voltage levels are generated, in the
following, reference is made to the simple three level MMC
configuration shown in Fig. 3.3.

Figure 3.5 - Voltage waveform of a Three-Level Converter.

Journal of Science and Technology (ISSN: 2456-5660), Volume 2, Special Issue 1, July 2017 32
 2nd National Conference on Computing, Electrical, Electronics and Sustainable Energy Systems (NCCEESES-2017), 6-7 July 2017
Organized by Department by EEE, Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajahmundry

The principle of operation can be extended to any multi-level bridge; however, due to the higher number of switches and
configuration as the one represented in Fig. 3.6 switching power losses, MMC with half-bridge is more oftren
developed. In order to eliminate inrush current during
switching between modules, additional inductors should be
added in series with the power modules in each arm [44].To
have sinusoidal output voltage, the upper arm and lower
modules’ references should be justified with respect to the DC
voltage in order to generate a proper wave-shaping circuit
[29]. In the MMC with the half-bridge, the maximum voltage
over each module is the DC-link voltage divided by the
number of arm modules; however, the MMC with the full-
Figure 3.6 - Schematic of one phase of Multi-Level Converter. bridge module can work in over-modulation since each
module can generate negative voltage as well [45].
In this type of inverter, the only states that have no redundant
configurations are the two states that generate the maximum
positive and negative voltages, + UD/2 and –UD/2. For
generating the other levels, in general there are several
possible switching configurations that can be selected in order
to keep the capacitor voltages balanced. In MMC of Fig.3.5,
the switching sequence is controlled so that at each instant
only N SMs (i.e. half of the 2N SMs of a phase leg) are in the
on-state. As an example, if at a given instant in the upper arm
SMs from 2 to N are in the on-state, in the lower arm only one
SM will be in on-state. It is clear that there are several possible
switching configurations. Equal voltage sharing among the
capacitor of each arm can be achieved by a selection algorithm
of inserted or bypassed SMs during each sampling period of
the control system. A typical voltage waveform of a multi- Figure : Modular Multilevel Converter topology with each sub-module
level converter is shown in Fig. 3.7. structure.

One of the disadvantages of the MMC is the existence of

relatively high circulating current due to the difference in
voltage of the arm inductors [46]-[47]. To limit the circulating
current, the arm inductor size should be selected to be quite
high or the circulating current suppressing controller should be
employed [48]. Another issue regarding this topology is the
number of capacitor banks required for each module in the
Figure 3.7 - Voltage waveform of a Multi-Level Converter MMC, which can lead to a huge space occupied by capacitors
and cause reliability issues
[49]-[50]. ] Moreover, having a high number of modules
IV. MODULAR MULTILEVEL CONVERTER MODELING makes the control system more complex [51]. Significant
efforts have been dedicated to the modeling of the MMC and
Introduction
to a circuit behavior analysis of the converter. Different
This chapter presents the modeling approach for illustrating
modeling approaches for the Modular Multilevel Converter
the operation principles of Modular Multilevel Converters
(MMC) have been carried out in the literature. In [52], the
(MMC) including the MMC with half-bridge power cells and
state-space switching model of the MMC is developed and the
the Alternate-Arm Converter (AAC). Modular multilevel
complete derivation procedure of that is given. In reference
converters have emerged as new multilevel converters that can
[53], a continuous model of a three phase MMC, which is
be used especially in High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)
derived from ordinary differential equations, is developed and
and Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) applications
described. All the other existent models deal with the three-
[25],[39-42]. Generally, the main advantages of the MMC
phase average model of the MMC, and the equations are
with as compared to other types of multilevel converters are
extracted based on the average model [52-57].
their high modularity and cabability for high voltage
In this chapter, a new modeling approach based on D-Q frame
scalability, which means that they can be connected directly to
modeling is proposed for use as a model-based converter of
the grid without using any transformer [43]. The modular
the inner and outer loop control design. DQ modeling of the
multilevel converter structure is shown in Figure 2-1. The
MMC can provide the relations of the duty cycles and arm
MMC generally consists of upper and lower arm power cells,
quantities as well as the output voltage and current of the
which can be half-bridge or full-bridge. The first model of the
converter. Also, the proposed DQ model of the MMC is of
MMC was generated by replacing the single switches in a
great value in developing new control methods for the MMC.
two-level converter with a series of power modules. As
To obtain the DQ model, the following procedure should be
mentioned, these power modules can be half-bridge or full-

Journal of Science and Technology (ISSN: 2456-5660), Volume 2, Special Issue 1, July 2017 33
 2nd National Conference on Computing, Electrical, Electronics and Sustainable Energy Systems (NCCEESES-2017), 6-7 July 2017
Organized by Department by EEE, Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajahmundry

taken. First of all, a three-phase average model of the

converter should be derived from the switching model. Then
by applying the Park transformation, the DQ model can be
achieved. The second order harmonic circulating current is
considered as the dominant component of the circulating
current and higher order harmonics are considered to be
negligible [47]. Therefore, the MMC system can be divided
into three-frames of operation: DC, fundamental frequency,
and twice the fundamental frequency frame. By assuming the
superposition, each of the parameters can be modeled in these
three-frames and finally the results can be added together.
Indeed, using this model, DC current and circulating current Level Shifted PWM Technique with Full wave converter
equations can be
decoupled from the load current. By changing the modeling of
MMC into three separate models, one will be able to derive
the DQ model in each case.

Modular Multilevel Converter Modeling (MMC)

MMC Switching Model
The general state-space switching model is derived based on
the simplest MMC configuration: a single-module MMC
topology as shown in Figure 2-1 [52]. The state-space model
is derived by selecting the inductor currents and capacitor Output voltage of MMC
voltages as states of the converter for control purposes.
Selected signal: 5 cycles. FFT window (in red): 2 cycles

Therefore, five totally independent KVL equations can be 200

written for the converter and iUabc (Upper Arm Current phase -200
0

a, b and c), iLabc (Lower Arm Current phase a, b and c) can 0 0.02 0.04
Time (s)
0.06 0.08 0.1

be chosen as initial independent state variables. However, the Fundamental (50Hz) = 240.2 , THD= 5.43%

DC current, line currents and circulating currents are the most 5

Mag (% of Fundamental)

convenient parameters to describe and control the operation of 3

the converter, and the fundamental circuit characteristics of 2

the MMC can be better reflected based on them. Hence, the 0

0 200 400 600
Frequency (Hz)
800 1000

initial state variables should be changed into another set of

independent states in terms of the three latter current THD Analysis of output Voltage
components. Figure 2-2 shows the switching model of the Discre te ,
Ts = 5e -005 s.

powe rgui

MMC. N

C
A

B
A

B
A

B
A a

B b
Aa

Bb
A

Three-Phase C C C c
Programmable
Voltage Source t1
Cc C

t3
N

i
+ - LOAD

i
- +
Isrn

Goto2
ILn

Conn1 Goto
Timer
A

C
com

Three-Phase Breaker Ishn

Conn2
Goto3
b
a

+ -i

Conn3

Conn4

Subsystem1

Conn1

Conn2

Conn3

Conn4

Subsystem

Measurements
Shunt controller
Series Controller

Proposed Simulation Circuit

1 Conn1
2 Conn2
3 Conn3
4 Conn4

s11 s11
s11
s11
g

g
C

C
g

g
C

Figure : Switching Model of the MMC.

E

DC Voltage Source2 DC Voltage Source4

E

DC Voltage Source
E

DC Voltage Source6

s11 s11
s11
s11
g

g
C

C
g

C
E

E
E

V. SIMULATION RESULTS
s11 s11 s11

s11
g

g
C

c
g

>= 2 + i
g
C

Out1 [A] 230

1 -
E

DC Voltage Source3 DC Voltage Source5

C urrent Measurement1
E

Relational DC Voltage Source1

Out2 voltage connected to bus Breaker
E

Goto DC Voltage Source7

Out3
Operator
Out4 [B] |u| s11 s11 s11

Out5 [A] s11

Goto1 Abs
g

g
C

C
g

Out6
From
g

Subsystem3
E

g
E
E

E
C

[B]
E

simout
C
41.96 1 From3 2
7 To Workspace
C

E
g

Display

+ v Scope
RMS -
[B]
Scope2 Voltage Measurement
RMS
From4
E
g

g
C

E
C 3 4
+ v 8
[A]
C
E

-
Voltage Measurement2 From2 Discre te ,
Ts = 5e -005 s.

powe rgui
Half Bridge MMC
[B]
g
E From5
E

C
C

Logical
Operator1 9 5 6
C

E
g

NOT

g
11 E
C From1
g [A]
E 10
C

Simulation Circuit of Nine Level MMC

Journal of Science and Technology (ISSN: 2456-5660), Volume 2, Special Issue 1, July 2017 34
 2nd National Conference on Computing, Electrical, Electronics and Sustainable Energy Systems (NCCEESES-2017), 6-7 July 2017
Organized by Department by EEE, Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajahmundry

[1] J. M. Guerrero, L. G. de Vicuna, J. Matas, M. Castilla, and J. Miret, ―A

wireless controller to enhance dynamic performance of parallel inverters
in distributed generation systems,‖ IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol.
19, no. 5, pp. 1205–1213, Sep. 2004.
[2] J. H. R. Enslin and P. J. M. Heskes, ―Harmonic interaction between a
large number of distributed power inverters and the distribution
network,‖ IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 1586–1593,
Nov. 2004.
[3] U. Borup, F. Blaabjerg, and P. N. Enjeti, ―Sharing of nonlinear load in
parallel-connected three-phase converters,‖ IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol.
37, no. 6, pp. 1817–1823, Nov./Dec. 2001.
[4] P. Jintakosonwit, H. Fujita, H. Akagi, and S. Ogasawara,
Load Current and Injected current ―Implementation and performance of cooperative control of shunt
active filters for harmonic damping throughout a power distribution
Selected signal: 30 cycles. FFT window (in red): 2 cycles
system,‖ IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 556–564, Mar./Apr.
20

0
2003.
-20

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

[5] F. Blaabjerg, R. Teodorescu, M. Liserre, and A. V. Timbus, ―Overview
Time (s)
of control and grid synchronization for distributed power generation
Fundamental (60Hz) = 45.01 , THD= 12.19% systems,‖ IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1398–1409, Oct.
12 2006.
Mag (% of Fundamental)

10

8 [6] J. M. Carrasco, L. G. Franquelo, J. T. Bialasiewicz, E. Galván, R. C. P.

6

4
Guisado, M. Á. M. Prats, J. I. León, and N. M. Alfonso,
2 ―Powerelectronic systems for the grid integration of renewable energy
0
0 200 400 600
Frequency (Hz)
800 1000 sources: A survey,‖ IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1002–
1016, Aug. 2006.
THD Analysis of Load Current when MMC is not connected to distribution [7] Vellanki Mehar Jyothi, T. Vijay Muni, S V N L Lalitha An Optimal
Energy Management System for PV/Battery Standalone System,
system (12.19%)
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Volume
6, No 6, December 2016.
Selected signal: 30 cycles. FFT window (in red): 2 cycles

20 [8] T. Vijay Muni, K. Venkata Kishore, Experimental Setup of Solar-Wind

0

-20
Hybrid Power System Interface to Grid System. International Journal for
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
Modern Trends in Science and Technology, Vol 2, Issue 1, January 2016
Time (s)

Fundamental (60Hz) = 40.01 , THD= 2.35%

2.5
Mag (% of Fundamental)

1.5

0.5

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Frequency (Hz)

THD Analysis of Load Current when MMC is connected to distribution system

(2.35%)

VI. CONCLUSION
A new transformerless four-leg topology is suggested for
shunt compensation, the modular multilevel converters
(MMC) based on the half-bridge converters, to achieve higher
performance a STATCOM in a distorted and unbalanced
medium voltage large-current (MV-LC) system. Both
proposals can be controlled for various purposes such as
reactive power and unbalance compensation, voltage
regulation, and harmonic cancellation. Moreover, related
control strategies are also suggested for both the MMC and the
EMMC to ensure that the source-end three-phase currents are
sinusoidal and balanced. Also, the dc-link capacitors of the
half-bridge converters are regulated. One interesting
application for the EMMC-based STATCOM could be the
improvement in power quality and performance of the
electrified railway traction power supply system.

References

Journal of Science and Technology (ISSN: 2456-5660), Volume 2, Special Issue 1, July 2017 35