GridConnected CapacitorTapped MultiModule Voltage Source Converter

Abstract

In this work, a new dc-ac converter is proposed for grid integration purposes, namely, capacitor-tapped multi-module dc-ac voltage source converter. The main advantages of the proposed converter when compared with the conventional dc-ac modular multilevel converter (assuming the same voltage rating of semiconductor devices) are: (i) employment of a lower number of semiconductor devices, but with a higher current rating hence it provides operation with a lower number of gate driver circuits, and (ii) employment of a lower number of dc capacitors which reduces the number of measured variables, which affects positively the cost and reduces the computational burden of the employed controller.