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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 271

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MuItiIeveI Converters in RenewabIe
Energy Systems

AIireza Nani and Iiruz Zare
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1. Introduction

In lhe currenl gIolaI cIinale, denand for a renevalIe energy syslen has increased due lo
environnenlaI issues and Iiniled fossiI resources. AIong vilh lhis denand, IholovoIlaic (IV)
and Wind Turline (WT) syslens have lecone lhe nosl connon lype of lhe grid connecled
renevalIe energy syslens (Carrasco, 2OO6). Hovever, lo connecl lhese syslens lo lhe grid,
oulpul voIlage and frequency adjuslnenl are lhe chaIIenging issues. Various lypes of converlers
have leen uliIized lo provide grid connecled renevalIe energy syslens. In IV or IueI CeII (IC)
appIicalions, DC-DC converlers are required lo adjusl lhe varialIe and Iov quaIily oulpul
voIlage of lhe IV paneIs or fueI ceIIs. A DC-AC converler is enpIoyed lo generale desired
voIlage and frequency for lhe grid conneclion. As veII, an AC-DC-AC converler is necessary for
lhe WT syslens as vind energy is varialIe during lhe syslen operalion.
In response lo lhe groving denand for nediun and high pover appIicalions, nuIliIeveI
inverlers have leen allracling groving consideralion in varialIe speed WT and IV syslens
recenlIy (ToIlerl & Ieng, 2OOO, CIasis & AgeIidis, 1998). MuIliIeveI converlers enalIe lhe
oulpul voIlage lo le increased vilhoul increasing lhe voIlage raling of svilching
conponenls, so lhal lhey offer lhe direcl conneclion of renevalIe energy syslens lo lhe grid
voIlage vilhoul using lhe expensive, luIky, and heavy lransforners. In addilion, nuIliIeveI
inverlers synlhesis slair case oulpul voIlage vhich is cIoser lo sinusoidaI voIlage using DC
Iink voIlages conpared vilh lvo-IeveI inverler. Synlhesising a slepped oulpul voIlage
aIIovs reduclion in harnonic conlenl of voIlage and currenl vaveforns and evenluaIIy size
of lhe oulpul fiIler. Anong differenl lypes of lhe nuIliIeveI converlers, cascade converlers is
usuaIIy used in IV appIicalions due lo ils noduIarily and slruclure (AIonso, 2OO3).
Hovever, lhe nunler of svilches is nore lhan lhe olher lypes of nuIliIeveI converlers and
needs severaI separaled DC sources. The diode-cIanped converler is anolher lype of
nuIliIeveI converlers vhich is videIy used in lransfornerIess grid connecled syslens due lo
ils nininun nunler of aclive pover conponenls and shared DC Iink voIlage (usquels-
Monge, 2OO8). Due lo lhe slruclure of lhe diode-cIanped converler, il suffers fron neulraI
poinl voIlage laIancing. AIlhough a soIulion for capacilor voIlage laIancing has leen
addressed in Iileralure (Yazdani, 2OO5), lhis increases lhe conpIexily of lhe conlroI slralegy.
AIso, exisling nelhods are nol appIicalIe for aII nunlers of IeveIs and noduIalion indexes.
Iurlhernore, lhe use of auxiIiary devices or aclive reclifiers has leen proposed lo laIance
15
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Renewable Energy 272

lhe DC Iink capacilors lul lhese can increase lhe cosl and conpIexily of lhe syslen
(Marchesoni, 2OO2).
In pholovoIlaic, fueI ceIIs and slorage lalleries, lhe Iov oulpul DC voIlage shouId le
loosled. Therefore, a slep-up converler is necessary lo loosl lhe Iov DC voIlage for lhe DC
Iink voIlage of lhe inverler. The nain conlrilulion of lhis chapler is lo eIeclricaI energy
conversion in renevalIe energy syslens lased on nuIliIeveI inverlers. Differenl
configuralion of renevalIe energy syslens lased on pover converlers viII le discussed in
delaiI. IinaIIy, a nev singIe induclor MuIli-Oulpul oosl (MO) converler is proposed,
vhich is conpalilIe vilh lhe diode-cIanped configuralion. Sleady slale and dynanic
anaIyses have leen carried oul in order lo shov lhe vaIidily of lhe proposed lopoIogy. Then
lhe joinl circuil of lhe proposed DC-DC converler vilh a lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped
converler is presenled in order lo have a series reguIaled voIlage al lhe DC Iink voIlage of
lhe diode-cIanped inverler. MO converler can loosl lhe Iov inpul DC voIlage of lhe
renevalIe energy sources and al lhe sane line adjusl lhe voIlage across each capacilor lo
lhe desired voIlage IeveIs, lherely soIving lhe nain prolIen associaled vilh capacilor
voIlage inlaIance in lhis lype of nuIliIeveI converler.

2. Power Conversion Systems

Iover eIeclronic converlers are a faniIy of eIeclricaI circuils vhich converl eIeclricaI energy
fron one IeveI of voIlage, currenl, or frequency lo anolher using pover svilching conponenls
(Zare, 2OO8). In aII pover converler faniIies, energy conversion is a funclion of differenl
svilching slales. The process of svilching lhe pover devices in pover converler lopoIogies
fron one slale lo anolher is caIIed noduIalion. Regarding differenl appIicalions, various
faniIies of pover converlers vilh oplinun noduIalion lechnique shouId le used lo deIiver
lhe desired eIeclricaI energy lo lhe Ioad vilh naxinun efficiency and nininun cosl. Three
nain faniIies of pover converlers vhich are usuaIIy used in renevalIe energy syslens are:
- AC-DC converlers
- DC-DC converlers
- DC-AC converlers
Iig. 1 shovs a schene of eIeclricaI conversion according lo lhe differenl faniIy of pover
converlers used in renevalIe energy syslens.







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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 273


(a)

(l)
Iig. 1. IaniIies of pover converlers calegorized according lo lheir energy conversion in
renevalIe energy syslens

In renevalIe energy syslens, sources can le eilher AC or DC such as WT or IV syslens,
respecliveIy. Hovever, due lo lhe Ioad requirenenl, lhe pover nay le changed lo DC or
AC. Therefore, lased on differenl appIicalions, proper conlinalion and conlroI of alove
pover converlers can suppIy a Ioad. As shovn in Iig.1 (a), in residenliaI appIicalions or grid
connecled syslens vhere lhe varialIe voIlage of renevalIe energy syslens shouId le
converled lo achieve desiralIe AC voIlage and frequency, AC-DC, DC-DC and DC-AC
converlers nay le needed. On lhe olher hand, vhen lhe inpul voIlage is varialIe DC source
(Iig.1(l)) such as IV or IC syslens, DC-DC converler conlined vilh DC-AC converler nay
le used lo have a reguIaled AC vaveforn for residenliaI or grid connecled syslens.

2.1 AC-DC Converter
A lhree-phase Iov frequency reclifier is depicled in Iig.2 (a). This converler operales al Iine
frequency, so lhal lhe svilching happens al 5OHz or 6OHz. Lov frequency reclifiers are
nade up ly diode or lhyrislor lo change lhe AC voIlage lo DC. Hovever, reclifiers lased on
lhyrislors have a freedon lo change lhe firing angIe lo svilch lhe lhyrislor, so lhal lhe
anounl of oulpul DC voIlage is conlroIIed conpared vilh diode reclifier. Using a capacilor
al oulpul can increase lhe quaIily of oulpul voIlage.

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Renewable Energy 274


(a) (l)
Iig. 2. AC-DC converler (a) Iov frequency (l) high frequency

A lhree-phase conlroIIed high frequency converler lased on ICT is shovn in Iig.2 (l). This
circuil can change lhe inpul AC voIlage inlo DC voIlage. y conlroIIing lhe duly cycIe of lhe
svilches lased on differenl noduIalion lechnique, lhe anounl of oulpul DC voIlage can le
conlroIIed. Since lhe svilches drive in high frequency, lhe anounl of harnonic conlenl in
currenl vaveforn is decreased. In addilion, lhis configuralion can provide lidireclionaI
pover fIov lelveen Ioad and source.

2.2 DC-DC Converter
DC-DC converlers are a kind of high frequency converlers vhich converl unreguIaled DC
pover lo reguIaled DC pover. Since lhe oulpul voIlage of renevalIe energy syslens or
reclifier converler is lasicaIIy unreguIaled DC voIlage, as shovn in Iig. 3, DC-DC
converlers are necessary lo adjusl lhe DC voIlage for differenl appIicalions. Three lasic
configuralions of DC-DC converlers are luck, loosl and luck-loosl converlers.


Iig. 3. DC-DC converler

In a luck converler lhe oulpul voIlage is nornaIIy Iess lhan inpul voIlage. Hovever, a loosl
converler has lhe aliIily lo increase lhe inpul voIlage lased on duly cycIe of lhe svilch. A
luck-loosl converler can eilher luck or loosl lhe inpul voIlage. A loosl converler is usuaIIy
appIied in renevalIe energy syslens as lhe oulpul voIlage of lhese syslens is Iov and
unreguIaled. Configuralion of lhe loosl converler is iIIuslraled in Iig. 4. In lhis converler,
oulpul voIlage is a funclion of lhe duly cycIe of svilch (S) vhich can le defined ly a proper
noduIalion lechnique. When lhe svilch is on, lhe induclor can le charged ly lhe currenl
fIoving lhrough il. Hovever, in lhe nexl sulinlervaI vhen lhe svilch is lurned off, lhe
capacilor viII le charged ly lhe induclor currenl. Second order LC fiIler in lhis
configuralion can reguIale lhe oulpul voIlage and renove lhe high frequency harnonics.

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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 275


Iig. 4. Schenalic configuralion of a DC-DC loosl converler

2.3 DC-AC Converter
A lIock diagran of a voIlage source converler is shovn in Iig. 5. In lhis configuralion lhe
inpul source is a voIlage vhich is slored in DC Iink capacilor. This converler chops lhe inpul
DC voIlage and generales an AC voIlage vilh desired nagnilude and frequency vilh
respecl lo lhe puIse pallerns and noduIalion lechniques. Differenl currenl and voIlage
conlroI nelhods have leen proposed lo generale a high voIlage high currenl reclanguIar
vaveforn lased on reference voIlage characlerislics (Nani & Zare, 2OO8).

v
a
v
b
v
c
DC Power
V
in
I
in
Voltage source inverter
AC Power

Iig. 5. DC-AC voIlage source converler

One Ieg of a cIassicaI voIlage source inverler is shovn in Iig. 6 (a). ased on lhis
configuralion, vhen S
1
lurns on, Ieg voIlage (V
an
) is V
dc
and vhen S
1
lurns off, V
an
=O.
Therefore, lvo differenl voIlage IeveIs appear al lhe Ieg voIlage. SingIe-phase and lhree-
phase slruclure can le consliluled ly lhe conneclion of one and lvo Iegs lo lhis slruclure,
respecliveIy. Iig. 6 (l) shovs a singIe-phase inverler. Oulpul voIlage IeveIs lased on
differenl svilching slales are given in TalIe. 1. As shovn, lhree voIlage IeveIs appear in
oulpul voIlage. Differenl high and Iov frequency IWM lechniques can le appIied lo
generale lhe reference voIlage. Leg voIlages and oulpul voIlage vaveforns of a singIe-phase
inverler are shovn in Iig. 7.


(a) (l)
Iig. 6. CIassicaI voIlage source inverler (a) one Ieg slruclure (l) singIe-phase inverler


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Renewable Energy 276

S
1
S
3
V
an
V
ln
V
al

off off O O O
off on O V
dc
-V
dc

on off V
dc
O V
dc

on on V
dc
V
dc
O
TalIe 1. Svilching slales of cIassicaI voIlage source inverler


Iig. 7. Leg voIlages and oulpul voIlage of singIe-phase inverler

3. MuItiIeveI TopoIogies

MuIliIeveI converlers have nany advanlages for nediun and high pover syslens as lhey
synlhesise a higher oulpul voIlage lhan lhe voIlage raling of each svilching device. Slepped
oulpul voIlage aIIovs a reduclion in harnonic conlenl of voIlage and currenl vaveforns,
svilching frequency, and seniconduclors voIlage IeveI. The presenled nerils nake
nuIliIeveI converlers appropriale for nediun and high voIlage renevalIe energy
appIicalions. The lesl knovn nuIliIeveI lopoIogies (Rodriguez el aI., 2OO2) are diode-
cIanped, fIying capacilor, and cascade inverler, lhe Ialler leing nornaIIy considered for IV
appIicalion. Hovever, lhe diode-cIanped converler is lhe nosl popuIar converler in
renevalIe energy syslens due lo ils slruclure. Differenl currenl (Zare & Ledvich, 2OO2,
Zare & Ledvich, 2OO8) and voIlage conlroI (Leon el aI., 2OO8) lechniques have leen
proposed for nuIliIeveI converlers lo have an oplinun efficiency. AIlhough each lype of
nuIliIeveI converlers share lhe advanlages of nuIliIeveI voIlage source inverlers, lhey nay
le suilalIe for specific appIicalion due lo lheir slruclures and dravlacks. Operalion and
slruclure of lhe lhree nain lypes of nuIliIeveI converlers are discussed in lhe foIIoving
seclions.

3.1 Diode-cIamped Inverter
Concepl of lhe diode cIanped lopoIogy vas proposed ly Nalae (Nalae el aI., 1981). This
lopoIogy has found vide acceplance for ils capaliIily of high voIlage, and high efficiency
operalion. A phase Ieg of a lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped inverler is shovn in Iig. 8 (a). Il
consisls of lvo pairs of svilches and lvo diodes. Lach svilch pairs vorks in conpIinenlary
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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 277

node and lhe diodes are used lo provide access lo nid-poinl voIlage. The DC lus voIlage is
spIil inlo lhree voIlage IeveIs ly using lvo series conneclion of DC capacilors, C
1
and C
2
.
Lach capacilor is supposed lo have an equaI DC voIlage and each voIlage slress viII le
Iiniled lo one capacilor IeveI lhrough cIanping diodes (D
c1
and D
c2
). If assuned lhal lolaI
DC Iink voIlage is V
dc
and nid poinl is reguIaled al haIf of lhe DC Iink voIlage, lhe voIlage
across each capacilor is V
dc
/2 (V
c1
=V
c2
=V
dc
/2). ased on lhe slruclure of lhe diode-cIanped
converler, lhere are lhree differenl possilIe svilching slales vhich appIy lhe slaircase
voIlage on oulpul voIlage reIaling lo DC Iink capacilor voIlage rale. Svilching slales of lhe
lhree-IeveI converler are sunnarized in TalIe 2. To sludy lhe effecl of lhe nunler of oulpul
voIlage IeveIs in diode-cIanped lopoIogy, Iig. 8 (l) shovs a phase Ieg of a four-IeveI
inverler. If converler vorks in laIance condilion, DC Iink voIlage is spIil in lhree equaI
vaIues ly lhe series capacilors (V
c1
=V
c2
=V
c3
=V
dc
/3). There are four differenl svilching
conlinalions shovn in TalIe 3 vhich can generale four differenl voIlage IeveIs in oulpul
Ieg voIlage (V
an
).

(a) (l)
Iig. 8. One Ieg of diode-cIanped converler (a) lhree-IeveI (l) four-IeveI

According lo Iig.6, ly connecling anolher Ieg naned as Ieg (l) lo lhe alove configuralions,
five and seven voIlage IeveIs can le achieved in lhe oulpul voIlage (V
al
) of lhree and four
IeveI inverlers. Iig. 9 and Iig. 1O shov lhe Ieg voIlage and phase voIlage of lhe lhree and
four IeveI inverlers in lhe laIance condilion, respecliveIy.
S
1
S
2
Leg voIlage (V
an
)
on on V
dc

off on V
dc
/2
off off O
TalIe 2. Svilching slales in one Ieg of lhe lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped inverler
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Renewable Energy 278

S
1
S
2
S
3
Leg voIlage (V
an
)
on on on V
dc

off on on 2V
dc
/3
off off off V
dc
/3
off off off O
TalIe 3. Svilching slales in one Ieg of lhe four-IeveI diode-cIanped inverler

Inprovenenl in quaIily of lhe oulpul voIlage is olvious ly increasing lhe nunler of
voIlage IeveIs as lhe voIlage vaveforn lecones cIoser lo sinusoidaI vaveforn (Nani el aI.,
2OO8). Hovever, capacilor voIlage laIancing viII le lhe crilicaI issue in high IeveI converlers
due lo lhe exislence of DC currenls in lhe niddIe poinls of lhe DC Iink. Thus, capacilor are
eilher charged or discharged for sone inlervaIs vhich Iinil lhe praclicaI operalion of lhe
high-IeveI diode-cIanped converlers in sone condilions. This issue shouId le laken inlo
accounl in lhis inverler. MO joinl vilh diode-cIanped inverler in lhe foIIoving seclions
address lhis prolIen for renevalIe energy syslens. In generaI in a converler vilh n series
DC Iink capacilors, m= (n+1) Ieg voIlage IeveIs and |=2m-1 phase voIlage IeveIs can le
achieved in oulpul vaveforns.


Iig. 9. Oulpul voIlage in lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped inverler (a) Ieg voIlage (l) oulpul
voIlage
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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 279


Iig. 1O. Oulpul voIlage in four-IeveI diode-cIanped inverler (a) Ieg voIlage (l) oulpul
voIlage

3.2 FIying Capacitor Inverter

(a) (l)
Iig. 11. A Ieg of fIying capacilor converler (a) lhree-IeveI (l) four-IeveI

Iig. 11 shovs lhe Ieg slruclure of a fIying capacilor inverler. This configuralion is an
aIlernalive lo lhe diode-cIanped converler, hovever, voIlage across an open svilch is
conslrained ly cIanping capacilors inslead of cIanping diode in diode-cIanped lopoIogy
(Meynard & Ioch, 1992). Therefore, il can avoid lhe use of nuIlipIe diodes al lhe higher
voIlage IeveIs. AIlhough lhis lype of converler shares lhe advanlages of aII nuIliIeveI
inverlers, il faces vilh sone prolIens. One of lhe nain prolIens is lhe requirenenl of
conpIicaled conlroI slralegy due lo reguIalion of fIoaling capacilor voIlages (Zare &
Ledvich, 2OO2). Anolher prolIen is associaled vilh converler iniliaIizalion lhal neans
lefore lhe fIying capacilor inverler can le noduIaled, lhe cIanping capacilors nusl le sel
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Renewable Energy 280

up vilh lhe required voIlage IeveI. y increasing lhe nunler of IeveIs, nore capacilors are
needed (un-Seok el aI. 1998). If lhe inpul DC Iink is V
dc
and lhe fIying capacilor vorks in
laIance condilion node, in order lo have an equaI slep voIlages al oulpul voIlage, cIanped
capacilor shouId reguIaled al V
c1
=V
dc
/2 in lhe lhree-IeveI inverler and V
c2
= 2V
c1
=2V
dc
/3 in
lhe four-IeveI inverler. Il is nole lhal aIong vilh increasing lhe oulpul voIlage quaIily in
four-IeveI slruclure, voIlage slress on svilching conponenls reduces ly V
dc
/6.

Differenl Ieg voIlage IeveIs associaled vilh differenl svilching slales in lhree and four IeveI
fIying capacilor inverlers are given in TalIe 4 and 5, respecliveIy. Il is cIear lhal one nore
voIlage IeveI is avaiIalIe in four-IeveI inverler. AIlhough lhe oulpul voIlage IeveIs in lhe
fIying capacilor inverler is siniIar lo lhe diode-cIanped converler, lhere are nore lhan one
svilching slale avaiIalIe lo achieve lhe specific IeveI vhich is caIIed redundanl svilching
slales. These redundanl svilching veclors give freedon lo laIance lhe cIanped capacilor
voIlages as lhey nay provide differenl currenl Ioops lhrough lhe capacilors.

S
1
S
2
Leg voIlage (V
an
)
off off O
off on V
dc
/2
on off V
dc
/2
on off V
dc

TalIe 4. Svilching slales of lhree-IeveI fIying capacilor inverler

S
1
S
2
S
3
Leg voIlage(V
an
)
off off off O
off off on V
dc
/3
off on off V
dc
/3
off on on 2V
dc
/3
on off off V
dc
/3
on off on 2V
dc
/3
on on off 2V
dc
/3
on on on V
dc

TalIe 5. Svilching slales of four-IeveI fIying capacilor inverler

3.3 Cascade Inverter
The lhird lopoIogy for a nuIliIeveI converler is lhe cascade inverler, vhich can le
synlhesised ly a series of singIe-phase fuII-lridge inverlers. Assuning lhal lhe DC voIlage
of each fuII-lridge ceII is sane and equaI lo V
dc
/2, each fuII-lridge inverler can svilch
lelveen -V
dc
,/2,O, and V
dc
,/2. Therefore, ly adding and sullracling of lhe oulpul voIlage
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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 281

IeveIs of lhe lvo cascaded fuII-lridge inverler ceIIs, five differenl voIlage IeveIs can le
achieved in lhe oulpul voIlage in Iig. 12 (a). Svilching slales associaled vilh differenl
oulpul voIlage IeveIs for lhe cascade inverler vilh lvo fuII-lridge inverler ceIIs are
denonslraled in TalIe 6. Three-phase configuralion can le easiIy inpIenenled ly lhree
singIe-phase slruclures. Cascade configuralion has leen allracled for nediun and high
voIlage renevalIe energy syslens such as pholovoIlaic, due lo ils noduIar and sinpIe
slruclure (AIonso el aI., 2OO3). A higher IeveI can easiIy le inpIenenled ly adding cIassicaI
H-lridge ceIIs in lhis configuralion. Hovever, il needs addilionaI DC voIlage sources and
svilching devices vhich can increase lhe cosl of lhe syslen.


V
dc1
V
dc
/3
D
1
D
2

D
3
D
4
S
3
S
4
D
5
D
6

S
5
S
6
D
7
D
8
S
7
S
8
S
1
S
2
Cell 1
Cell 2
a
V
dc2
V
dc
/3
D
9
D
10

S
9
S
10
D
11
D
12
S
11
S
12
Cell 3
n
V
dc3
V
dc
/3

(a) (l)
Iig. 12. One phase Ieg of cascade inverler (a) five-IeveI (l) seven-IeveI

y adding each ceII, lvo nore voIlage IeveIs can le achieved in oulpul voIlage vhich can
reduce lhe harnonic dislorlion. Iig. 12 (l) denonslrales lhe cascade inverler vilh lhree fuII-
lridge inverler ceIIs vhere each ceII endures V
dc
/3 of lhe lolaI high inpul DC voIlage (V
dc
).
Il is cIear lhal in conparison vilh lvo-ceII cascaded inverler, lo achieve lvo nore voIlage
IeveIs al oulpul and reduce lhe voIlage slress on each ceII in cascade inverler lopoIogy, four
exlra svilches and one isoIaled DC source shouId le paid. In generaI, cascade converler
vilh n-fuII-lridge inverler ceIIs can synlhesis I=(2n+1) voIlage IeveIs al lhe oulpul voIlage of
each phase slruclure.





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Renewable Energy 282

S
1
S
3
S
5
S
7
Leg voIlage (V
an
)
off off off off O
off off off on -V
dc
/2
off off on off V
dc
/2
off off on on O
off on off off -V
dc
/2
off on off on -V
dc

off on on off O
off on on on -V
dc
/2
on off off off V
dc
/2
on off off on O
on off on off V
dc

on off on on V
dc
/2
on on off off O
on on off on -V
dc
/2
on on on off V
dc
/2
on on on on O
TalIe 6. Svilching slales of five-IeveI cascade inverler

The hylrid converler proposed ly Manjrekar (Manjrekar el aI., 2OOO) is a cascaded slruclure
lhal has leen nodified, such lhal lhe DC Iink of fuII-lridge inverlers has unequaI DC source
voIlages. Therefore, lased on differenl svilching slales il is possilIe lo achieve nore voIlage
IeveIs in oulpul voIlage ly adding and sullracling DC Iink voIlages conpared vilh
convenlionaI nuIliIeveI inverlers vilh lhe sane nunler of conponenls. Diverse lopoIogies
have leen sludied lased on a variely of H-lridge cascaded ceIIs and DC voIlage ralio lo
enhance lhe oulpul voIlage resoIulion conpared vilh lhe sane DC voIlage ralio of lhe ceIIs.

4. AppIication of Power EIectronics in RenewabIe Energy Systems

Novadays, lhe eIeclricaI pover generalion fron renevalIe energy sources has lecone a
focaI poinl in research lecause of environnenlaI prolIens and a perceived of lradilionaI
energy sources in lhe near fulure. Since Iasl decade, researchers have leen vorking on
eIeclricaI syslens for varialIe speed vind lurlines. The nain advanlages of varialIe speed
are noise reduclion, naxinun pover lracking, and proper conlroIIed lorque and in lhis
nanner, lhe possiliIily lo danp resonance and avoid speeds causing resonance. SeveraI
eIeclricaI syslens have leen presenled lo connecl lhe vind lurline vilh varialIe speed and
frequency lo lhe conslanl voIlage and frequency of lhe nelvork. The nain aspecls of lhese
lopoIogies are increased efficiency and roluslness, a decrease in lhe size and nainlenance of
lhe syslen and evenluaIIy reduclion of vhoIe syslen expense.
On lhe olher hand, grid connecled pholovoIlaic (IV) syslens, noslIy singIe-phase IV
syslens and lheir conlrilulion lo cIean pover generalion, is recognized nore and nore
vorIdvide. The nain advanlages of IV syslen are Iong Iife line, high efficiency and good
environnenlaI condilion. The nosl inporlanl issues for grid connecled IV lo gain vide
acceplance are reIialiIily and Iov cosl. There are lvo approaches lo achieve high voIlage
and high efficiency, one is lo connecl lhe ceIIs in series lo generale high voIlage DC and use
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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 283

high voIlage DC lo an AC inverler circuil. Hovever, lhis configuralion needs high voIlage
rale devices for lhe inverler. Anolher approach is lo use Iov voIlage devices for lhe inverler
and lhen slep up lhe voIlage using lransforners. This can increase Iosses and cosl of syslen.
Using lransfornerIess concepls are advanlageous vilh regard lo lheir high efficiency and
lhe resuIling lenefils of reduclion in cosl, size, veighl and conpIexily of lhe inverler.
Anolher renevalIe energy source is fueI ceIIs vhich are considered allraclive for
Dislriluled Ceneralion (DC) appIicalions. IueI ceIIs are eIeclrochenicaI devices lhal converl
lhe chenicaI energy of fueI and oxidanl direclIy lo eIeclricaI energy and heal. In fueI ceII
povered appIicalions, a fueI ceII (Iov pover) viII suppIy lhe syslen, lhen a DC-DC
converler is used lo loosl lhe Iov voIlage of lhe fueI ceII lo nake a high voIlage DC Iink. A
DC-AC inverler is used lo ollain AC voIlage lo feed lhe Ioad.
In sone high voIlage, high pover vind lurline or pholovoIlaic syslens, if proleclion is nol a
lig issue, nuIliIeveI inverlers are a suilalIe configuralion in lransfornerIess grid connecled
syslens (Lopez el aI., 2OO6). MuIliIeveI converlers synlhesise a higher oulpul voIlage lhan lhe
voIlage raling of each svilching device so lhal lhey can provide a direcl conneclion of
renevalIe energy syslens lo lhe grid. Lven in grid connecled syslens vilh a lransforner,
nuIliIeveI inverlers are suilalIe lopoIogies due lo Iov TolaI Harnonic Dislorlion (THD) and
Iov voIlage slress (dv/dl) vhich nininise LMI, and aIso svilching Iosses conpared lo
lradilionaI converlers. In addilion, lhe alove advanlages viII Iead lo reduclion of lhe cosl and
size of lhe oulpul fiIler in lhe syslens lased on nuIliIeveI converlers.

4.1 VariabIe Speed Wind Turbine Systems
This lopoIogy lasicaIIy enpIoys induclion or synchronous nachine as a generalor. The
pover eIeclronics converler in lhis lopoIogy nighl le crealed ly eilher a diode reclifier vilh
loosl chopper converler connecled lo lhe IWM inverler or lvo lidireclionaI IWM-VSI
connecled lack-lo-lack (Carrasco el aI., 2OO6). Lxlracling as nuch pover as possilIe fron
vind energy and feeding high quaIily eIeclricily lo lhe grid are lhe lvo nain oljeclives of
lhese syslens. As shovn in Iig. 13, pover converlers conprise reclifier in generalor side
and inverler in grid side vhich are connecled logelher lhrough DC Iink. This schene aIIovs,
on one hand conlroI of lhe aclive and reaclive povers of lhe generalor, and on lhe olher
hand, a reduclion of lhe harnonics of currenl vaveforn ly lhe pover converler. In order lo
lenefil fron advanlages of nuIliIeveI inverlers in such a syslen, generalor and grid side
inverlers can le uliIized lased on lhe diode-cIanped converler as il has shared DC Iink in
ils slruclure (ueno el aI., 2OO8).


Iig. 13. Iover conversion in WT syslens using lack-lo-lack configuralion

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Renewable Energy 284

An aIlernalive lo lhe pover conversion syslen of a vind lurline is lo use synchronous or
pernanenl nagnel generalor inslead of lhe induclion nachine as shovn in Iig. 14. The
pover converler in generalor side is repIaced ly an AC-DC reclifier vilh slep-up DC-DC
converler. This is a Iov cosl configuralion vhen conpared vilh lack-lo-lack lopoIogy. As
lhe vind energy is varialIe, lhe slep-up converler is responsilIe lo adapl lhe reclifier
voIlage lo lhe DC Iink voIlage of lhe inverler. AIso, lhis slruclure nay provide
lransfornerIess conneclion syslens due lo lhe DC IeveI voIlage reguIalion using loosl
converler. Using nuIliIeveI converlers for nediun and high voIlage appIicalions is
advanlageous lased on lhis slruclure as lhey can increase lhe voIlage vilhoul increasing lhe
svilching conponenls voIlage rale (AIepuz el aI., 2OO6).


Iig. 14. Iover conversion in WT syslens using reclifier and slep-up converler

4.2 PhotovoItaic and FueI CeII Systems
IholovoIlaic and fueI ceII syslens are noslIy allracled in singIe-phase residenliaI
appIicalions vilh or vilhoul grid conneclion syslens. The nain advanlages of lhese
syslens are Iong Iife line, high efficiency and good environnenlaI condilion. As oulpul
voIlage of lhe IV and IC are Iov DC voIlage, one approach for pover conversion in lhis
lype of syslen is lo use a Iov voIlage inverler and lhen increase lhe AC voIlage using
lransforners. Hovever, il can increase Iosses and aIso lhe cosl of lhe syslen. AIlernalive
pover conneclion lopoIogy denonslraled in Iig. 15, uliIizes lhe DC-DC loosl converler lo
generale high DC voIlage for inverler DC Iink. Therefore, high voIlage DC lo AC inverler is
necessary vhich can inpose a high voIlage rale for svilching devices. To address lhis
prolIen, nuIliIeveI converlers such as diode-cIanped or fIying capacilor are a good
candidale for lhis configuralion lhal can increase lhe nunler of voIlage IeveIs vilhoul
increasing lhe voIlage rale of pover conponenls in DC-AC inverler (Myrzik, 2OO3, Sharna
& Hongvei, 2OO6). A configuralion of singIe-phase IV syslen vilh cascade converler is
shovn in Iig. 16. DC-DC converlers are responsilIe for loosling lhe Iov inpul voIlage and a
cascade converler can synlhesise a high voIlage AC voIlage ly adding inverler ceIIs oulpul
voIlage. As nenlioned lefore, cascade converler is a suilalIe lopoIogy for lhis kind of
appIicalion as il needs separaled DC voIlage. Hovever, a diode-cIanped slruclure can le
uliIized in lhis configuralion if DC Iink voIlage capacilor voIlage inlaIance can le soIved
(Nani el aI., 2OO8).

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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 285


Iig. 15. Iover conversion in lransfornerIess IV syslens


Iig. 16. MuIliIeveI converler in lransfornerIess IV syslens

5. A New TopoIogy for MuItiIeveI Diode-cIamped Converters in RenewabIe
Energy Systems

DC Iink capacilor laIancing is a chaIIenging issue in lhe diode-cIanped lopoIogy due lo ils
series capacilors conneclion. To address lhis Iinilalion, isoIaled DC sources or aIlernaliveIy,
auxiIiary converlers can le used for capacilor voIlage laIancing. In lhis seclion, a nev DC-
DC loosl converler vilh doulIe oulpuls can le used as a fronl-end converler lo loosl lhe
Iov oulpul voIlage of grid connecled renevalIe syslens lased on lhe diode-cIanped
converler.

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Renewable Energy 286

D
2
S
3
S
4
S
2
S
1
S
4
S
3
C
2
C
1
Load
S
1
S
2
S
0
S
1
L
V
in
9
/
W
N
M
DC-DC converter DC-AC converter & Load
Renewable energy
DC voltage
D
c1
D
c2
D
c3
D
c4

Iig. 17. Three-IeveI diode-cIanped lopoIogy joinl vilh doulIe-oulpul MO converler

Iig. 17 shovs lhe proposed DC-DC converler connecled lo a lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped
inverler. y conlroIIing lhe proposed DC-DC converler, lhe DC Iink capacilors of lhe
inverler can le reguIaled lo lhe desired voIlage IeveI. Therefore, lhe MO converler can
address lhe capacilor voIlage laIancing in diode-cIanped converlers, vhich lhen viII
decrease lhe conpIexily of lhe inverler conlroI slralegy. TopoIogy and conlroI slralegy of
lhe MO DC-DC converler is descriled in lhe nexl seclion.

6. MuIti-output Boost Converter (MOB) TopoIogy

MuIli oulpul DC-DC converlers are efficienl and econonicaI devices vhich are used inslead
of severaI separale singIe oulpul converlers lo nake up a nuIli oulpul pover suppIy
(Yunxiang & }iuchao, 2OO4). RecenlIy, severaI lypes of nuIli oulpul DC-DC converlers such
as svilched-capacilor, LLC resonanl lopoIogy, cross reguIalion and paraIIeI reguIalion
lechniques videIy use in leIeconnunicalion, conpulers and induslriaI fieIds, are addressed
in (Cu el aI., 2OO5). A noveI DC-DC converler vilh series capacilors in order lo generale lvo
differenl voIlage IeveIs for diode-cIanped inverler is proposed ly (Nani el aI., 2OO7). Il can
aIso le appIied for nore voIlage IeveIs. This converler lasicaIIy operales as a loosl or luck
converler lased on duly cycIes of lhe svilches in each sulinlervaI of lhe svilching period.
In lhis converler, ly conlroIIing lhe duly cycIes of lhe svilches in each sulinlervaI, lhe
oulpul voIlage can le conlroIIed lo provide lhe appropriale inpul DC voIlage for lhe diode-
cIanped converler. This can avoid lhe capacilors voIlage inlaIance in lhe diode cIanped
lopoIogy. Moreover, ly appIying lhe presenled lopoIogy in renevalIe energy syslens, Iov
reclified oulpul-voIlage can le loosled lo a desired IeveI.

6.1 Basic Circuit Configuration
A circuil diagran of lhe N-oulpul loosl converler is shovn in Iig. 18 (a). This circuil
consisls of a loosl svilch S
0
, N-1 sharing svilches S
1
lo S
N-1
, N diodes (D
1
lo

D
N
), an
induclor, and N capacilors (C
1
lo C
N
) vilh differenl Ioads (R
1
lo R
N
).
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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 287





(a)

(l)

(c)

(d)
Iig. 18. Configuralion of MO converler (a) schenalic, (l)-(d) equivaIenl circuil in differenl
svilching inlervaIs for doulIe-oulpul (N=2)

Svilching slales S
0
S
1
C
1
C
2

1O on off Discharge Discharge
OO off off Charge Charge
O1 off on Charge Discharge
TalIe 7. Svilching slales of doulIe-oulpul loosl converler

In lhe sulinlervaI zero, S
0
is lurned on and lhe induclor can le charged ly lhe currenl
fIoving lhrough il. In lhe nexl N sulinlervaIs, S
0
renains off and lhe S
1
lo

S
N-1
are
svilched lo charge N-1 capacilors inlo lhe desired vaIue. When S
1
lo S
N-1
are off, lhe diode
(D
N
) direcls lhe induclor currenl lo charge aII C
1
lo C
N
lo generale V
1
lo V
N
, respecliveIy. D
1

lo D
N-1
are used lo lIock lhe negalive voIlage and provide lvo quadranl operalion of S
1
lo

S
N-1
. In a doulIe-oulpul converler lhere are lhree possilIe svilching slales as S
1
can nol le
lurned on vhiIe S
0
is on. The operalion of lhe circuil in lhree differenl svilching slales
has leen sunnarised in TalIe 7 for N=2. The equivaIenl circuils of aII svilching slales have
leen denonslraled in Iig. 18(l) lo 18 (d).

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Renewable Energy 288

6.2. Steady State and Dynamic Equations
To anaIyse lhe sleady slale perfornance of lhe MO converler, line inlervaIs of each
svilching are considered as T
1O
, T
OO
, and T
O1.
Then, svilching period can le expressed as
foIIovs:

7 7 7 7 = + +

(1)
vhere, T is svilching period. The average induclor voIlage over one cycIe shouId le zero in
lhe sleady slale:



= + + 9 9 7 9 9 9 7 9 7
LQ LQ LQ
(2)
y definilion of duly cycIes in Lq.3 and sulslilulion in Lq.2, il can le revrillen as foIIovs:

( )
( )

+
= '
= ' +
7
7 7
'
7
7
' '



(3)

9 ' ' 9 ' 9
LQ
' + + ' = (4)

vhere, V
in
is inpul voIlage and V
1
and V
2
are lhe lollon capacilor (nid poinl) and lop
capacilor voIlages, respecliveIy. AIso, lhe average capacilor currenl over one cycIe shouId le
zero in lhe sleady slale.

'
=
= + +


' 5
9
,
5
9
, 7
5
9
, 7
5
9
7
(5)

' +
=
= + +


' ' 5
9
,
5
9
7
5
9
, 7
5
9
7
(6)

Iron Lq.4 lo Lq.6, lhe sleady slale equalion can le derived as foIIovs:

' + + '
=
' + + '
' +
=
' + + '
'
=






' ' 5 ' 5
9
,
' ' ' Q
9 ' '
9
' ' ' Q
9 ' Q
9
LQ
LQ
LQ
(7)

vhere,

5
5
Q =
. According lo Lq.7, lvo differenl voIlages can le ollained on oulpul.
Conparing lhis silualion vilh lhe lasic singIe oulpul (V
1
) oosl converler, aIlhough lhe
lolaI oulpul voIlage (V
T
) in lolh converlers is increased, in lhe MO converler differenl
oulpul voIlages can le ollained lased on differenl duly cycIes of lhe loosl svilch (S
0
) and
sharing svilch (S
1
) in sleady slale operalions. Since lhe oulpul voIlage in Lq.7 is reIaled lo
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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 289

lhe Ioad ralio, TalIe 8 shovs sone Iinilalions lo achieve diverse voIlages lhal shouId le
considered due lo lhe fundanenlaI nalure of lhe circuil.

V
1
=V
2



'
' '
Q
'
' +
=

V
1
>V
2



'
' '
Q
'
' +
>

V
1
<V
2



'
' '
Q
'
' +
<

TalIe 8. Nalure Iinilalion of Ioad ralio in differenl oulpul voIlage

Using an averaging nelhod in each svilching cycIe, slale equalions can le deveIoped for
lhe dynanic anaIysis of induclor currenl or capacilor voIlages in lerns of syslens varialIes.
To conslrucl a snaII-signaI ac nodeI al lhe quiescenl operalion (|, V1, V2), ve can assune a
snaII perlurlalion al lhe operaling poinl. Thus, aII inpul and oulpul varialIes are defined as
W [ ; W [ + = vhere X is a DC anounl and x (l) is an AC snaII-signaI.
Regarding Iinearizalion nelhod, Lq.8 shovs lhe dynanic nodeI space slale of lhe proposed
configuralion.

(
(
(

(
(
(

+
+
(
(
(

(
(
(
(
(
(
(

'
'
' '
=
(
(
(

(
(
(






G
G
Y
, ,
,
9 9 9
Y
Y
L
5
' '
5
'
' ' '
Y
Y
L
&
&
/
LQ

(8)


According lo Lq.8, changing (D
0
+D
1
) and D
0

vilh a differenl ralio in a cIosed Ioop conlroI


syslen can keep lhe oulpul voIlages conslanl vhiIe lhe induclor currenl vaIue has leen
nodified. DeveIoping lhis concepl viII Iead lo a currenl conlroI slralegy conlined vilh
voIlage conlroI lo achieve lhe desired oulpul voIlage vilh a proper dynanic response.
According lo lhe sleady slale slalenenls and dynanic nodeI, lhe proposed MO converler
acls as a loosl converler lopoIogy vilh a series of nuIlipIe oulpul voIlages.

6.3 MOB Converter with MuItipIe Outputs Configuration
Sleady slale and dynanic anaIysis can le exlended for lhe proposed lopoIogy vilh nuIlipIe
oulpuls (see Iig. 18 (a)). Revriling lhe slale space varialIes for N oulpuls:

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Renewable Energy 290

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

+
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(


=
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

= =
=

_ _ _
_
_
_
_ _ _











.
M
L
LQ
M Q
N
.
L Q
N
.
Q
N
.
.
M
L
N
Q
N
.
M
M
N
.
L
L
N
.
Q
N
.
M
N
.
L
N
.
.
M
L
N
M
L
G
G
G
G
Y
, , , , ,
, , , ,
, , ,
, , ,
, ,
, ,
,
9 9 9 9
Y
Y
Y
Y
L
5
'
5
'
5
'
5
'
' ' ' '
Y
Y
Y
Y
L
&
&
&
&
/
#
#
#
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" "
" " "
#
#
#
% #
% #
% #
" " "

%
%
%
(9)
Lxlracling lransfer funclion fron lhese equalions:

=
|
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

+
=
_
_
_
=

=
=

V ,
V & 5
' 5
V 9
V & 5
' 5
/V
V ,
N N
N
M
M N
N
1
N N N
N
M
M N
(1O)
IinaIIy, lhe sleady slale equalions for N oulpul voIlages vouId le:

_ _ _ _
_



. .
LQ
. .
LQ . .
N
' 5
9
,
' 5
9 ' 5
9
(11)

Il is cIear lhal differenl oulpul voIlages can le achieved lased on differenl duly cycIes.

6.4 ControI System
SeveraI currenl-node conlroI slralegies have leen conducled lo inprove lhe dynanic
response of loosl converlers (Mannano, 1999, Siev-Chong el aI., 2OO6). To have lhe
polenliaI of conlining lhe advanlages of lhe IogicaI conlroI and currenl node conlroI in a
reIaliveIy sinpIe conlroIIer reaIizalion for a MO converler, a cross voIlage conlroI (V
T
) vilh
an inlernaI hysleresis currenl conlroI Ioop has leen perforned conlined vilh nid poinl
voIlage (V
1
) conlroI. Iig. 19 iIIuslrales lhe lIock diagran of lhe conlroI nelhod for a doulIe-
oulpul loosl converler. As shovn, lhe soIid Ioop is a cross voIlage conlroI vilh a hysleresis
currenl conlroI Ioop for lhe induclor currenl, in vhich lhe cross oulpul of lhe MO
converler is conlroIIed ly svilching lhe loosl svilch (S
0
). The dashed Ioop is lhe nid poinl
voIlages conlroI vhere lhe sharing svilches (S
1
) is forced lo laIance lhe capacilors voIlage.
The currenl conlroI Ioop consisls of lvo cascaded conlroI Ioops. The ouler Ioop is a voIlage
conlroI node lhrough vhich lhe reference currenl is nodified lased on voIlage error lo
force lhis error lo zero. The inner Ioop is lhe hysleresis currenl conlroI vhich is lhe nain
Ioop lhal runs lo forcilIy conslrain lhe induclor currenl lelveen lhe hysleresis lands
around lhe defined reference currenl.

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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 291


Iig. 19. Iock diagran of lhe proposed conlroI syslen

In lhe dead land voIlage conlroI lIock, lhe anounl of lhe nid poinl voIlage (V
1
) error is
conpared in order lo give priorily lo lhe voIlage vilh Iarger error. Then lhe chosen nid
poinl voIlage viII le conpared vilh ils defined voIlage dead land (assuned 1 of
reference) , if lhe voIlage is higher (Iover) lhan lhe upper (Iover) dead land oulpul signaI
of lIock changes lo one (zero). Il shouId le nenlioned lhal defining lhe dead land can
decrease unnecessary svilching vhen lhe nid poinl voIlage error is negIigilIe, olhervise il
can le sel lo zero lo increase accuracy.


(a)

(l)
Iig. 2O. (a) Sleady-slale induclor currenl and svilching puIses for lhe CCM operalion (R
1
=
5O and R
2
=5O ). (l) Oulpul voIlages corresponding lo (a).
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Renewable Energy 292


(a) (l)
Iig. 21. Waveforns during lransienl condilion. (a)When R
1
is changed. (l) Oulpul voIlage
during inpul voIlage dislurlance (R
1
=R
2
=50 ).

The sleady-slale response under lhe proposed conlroI schene is shovn in Iig. 2O forn a
Ialoralory prololype. The svilching puIses (conlroI signaI) and lhe induclor currenl
vaveforns are shovn lo verify lhe conlroI slralegy for lhe Conlinues Conduclion Mode
(CCM) operalion of lhe converler vilh Ioad resislances of R
1
=R
2
=50 The nid poinl
voIlage (V
1
) and lolaI oulpul (V
T
), are assuned lo le kepl al 20V and 30V respecliveIy, vhiIe
V
|N=
15V.
The conlroI slralegy is lesled under dislurlances in lolh Ioad and inpul voIlage, and lhe
corresponding varialions in lhe oulpul voIlage and induclor currenl are denonslraled in
Iig. 21. In Iig. 21 (a) R
2
=50 and R
1
is varied fron 50 lo 35 and lack. Il is noled lhal lhe
operalion of lhe converler sliII renains in lhe CCM and lhe currenl nodificalion appIies in
each five hysleresis cycIes disconlinuousIy. The oulpul voIlages dispIay an undershool
(overshool) for lhe Ioad currenl increase (decrease), lul lhey quickIy sellIe around lhe
reference vaIue. AIso, due lo lhe svilching oplions lo conlroI V
1
and V
2
, lhe conlroIIing of V
1

surpasses lhe olher oulpul, so lhal il has Iess undershool and overshool. WhiIe lhe converler
is vorking vilh a Ioad of R
1
=R
2
=50 (CCM operalion), a change in lhe inpul voIlage fron
lhe 15V |c 10 V and lack is appIied. The change in lhe inpul voIlage and lhe corresponding
oulpul-voIlage vaveforns are depicled in Iig. 21 (l). Il is olserved lhal lhe lolaI oulpul
voIlage shovs snaII undershool (overshool) for lhe inpul voIlage increase (decrease) and
sellIes dovn afler a shorl line. Hovever, lhe nid poinl voIlage renains conslanl, and lhe
lransienls in voIlage are sufficienlIy dininished.

6.5 Performance of Diode-cIamped Joint with MOB Converter
The perfornance of lhe nev singIe-phase diode-cIanped inverlers configuralion is
sinuIaled in Iig. 22. Herein, on lhe DC-DC side, inpul voIlage (V
in
) is assuned as 1OOV,
svilching frequency of lhe DC-DC converler (f
su
) is 1O kHz, |=2nH, and C
1
=C
2
=1nI vhiIe
on lhe inverler side fundanenlaI and svilching frequencies are f=5OHz, f
su
=4 KHz, and lhe
DC Iink of lhe lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped inverler (V
MN
) is loosled lo 3OO V ly using a
doulIe-oulpul loosl converler. Carrier lased IWM slralegy has leen carried oul for lhe
lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped converler lo generale reference voIlage. As shovn in Iig. 22,
vhiIe lhe lolaI voIlage of an inverler DC Iink is loosled al 3OOV, nid poinl voIlages (V
1

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Multilevel Converters in Renewable Energy Systems 293

=V
c1
) are conlroIIed al 15OV lo have an equaI DC Iink capacilor voIlage arrangenenl. The
doulIe-oulpul loosl converler can loosl lhe Iov inpul voIlage for DC Iink capacilors as veII
as laIance lhe capacilors voIlage lo lhe desired IeveI for a high noduIalion index (Iig. 23),
vhich is inpossilIe vilhoul lhe capacilor voIlage laIancing aIgorilhn in lhree-IeveI diode-
cIanped converlers vilh a passive fronl-end converler. Oulpul voIlage for lhe proposed
configuralions for m
a
=1 and P|=O.95 is denonslraled in Iig. 22 and 23, respecliveIy.


Iig. 22. SinuIalion resuIls for DC Iink voIlage of lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped Inverler vilh
doulIe-oulpul loosl converler


Iig. 23. Capacilor voIlage laIancing in lhree-IeveI diode-cIanped Inverler vilh doulIe-
oulpul loosl converler

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Renewable Energy 294

7. ConcIusion

In lhis chapler, differenl lopoIogies for renevalIe energy syslens lased on pover
eIeclronics converlers have leen sludied. A nev lopoIogy for a nuIli oulpul DC-DC
converler is presenled in order lo suppIy inpul voIlages for a diode-cIanp nuIliIeveI
inverler. Using lhis circuil, lhe DC Iink voIlages of lhe diode-cIanped can le adjusled lo a
desired voIlage IeveI ly lhe DC-DC converler, lherely soIving lhe nain prolIen associaled
vilh laIancing lhe capacilor voIlages in lhe diode-cIanped lopoIogy. Iurlhernore, since lhe
DC oulpul voIlage of IV or WT syslens are nol very high, lhis lopoIogy is a suilalIe
candidale for lhese syslens as il can loosl lhe Iov and unreguIaled inpul voIlage for a
lransforner Iess grid conneclion lased on lhe nuIliIeveI lopoIogy. To verify lhe operalion of
lhis lopoIogy, lolh sleady-slale and snaII-signaI ac nodeIs have leen conpared lhrough
sinuIalion and hardvare resuIls.

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Renewable Energy
Edited by T J Hammons
ISBN 978-953-7619-52-7
Hard cover, 580 pages
Publisher InTech
Published online 01, December, 2009
Published in print edition December, 2009
InTech Europe
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Renewable Energy is energy generated from natural resources - such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and
geothermal heat - which are naturally replenished. In 2008, about 18% of global final energy consumption came
from renewables, with 13% coming from traditional biomass, such as wood burning. Hydroelectricity was the
next largest renewable source, providing 3% (15% of global electricity generation), followed by solar hot
water/heating, which contributed with 1.3%. Modern technologies, such as geothermal energy, wind power,
solar power, and ocean energy together provided some 0.8% of final energy consumption. The book provides
a forum for dissemination and exchange of up - to - date scientific information on theoretical, generic and
applied areas of knowledge. The topics deal with new devices and circuits for energy systems, photovoltaic
and solar thermal, wind energy systems, tidal and wave energy, fuel cell systems, bio energy and geo-energy,
sustainable energy resources and systems, energy storage systems, energy market management and
economics, off-grid isolated energy systems, energy in transportation systems, energy resources for portable
electronics, intelligent energy power transmission, distribution and inter - connectors, energy efficient utilization,
environmental issues, energy harvesting, nanotechnology in energy, policy issues on renewable energy,
building design, power electronics in energy conversion, new materials for energy resources, and RF and
magnetic field energy devices.
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