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GTx: Multilevel Converters for Medium/High-Power Applications

This MOOC is an introduction to the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) and its basics of operation and control.
Multilevel Converters for Medium/High-Power Applications
6 weeks
5–7 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
This course is archived

About this course

Skip About this course
The modular multilevel converter (MMC) has become the most attractive multilevel converter topology for medium/high-power applications, specifically for voltage-sourced converter high-voltage direct current (VSC–HVDC) transmission systems. In comparison with other multilevel converter topologies, the salient features of the MMC include:

1) Modularity and scalability to meet any voltage level requirements,

2) High efficiency, which is of significant importance for high-power applications,

3) Superior harmonic performance, specifically in high-voltage applications where a large number of identical submodules (SMs) with low-voltage ratings are stacked up, thereby the size of passive filters can be reduced, and

4) Absence of dc-link capacitors.

Over the past few years, there has been a significant effort towards addressing the technical challenges associated with the operation and control of the MMC as well as broadening its applications.

The main intention of this MOOC is to introduce the MMC topology and its operational and control challenges along with the most recent solutions to address those challenges.

At a glance

  • Institution: GTx
  • Subject: Engineering
  • Level: Advanced
  • Prerequisites:
    Semiconductor devices, circuits, basics of power electronics and control theory
  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Voltage, Modularity, Capacitors, Topology, High Voltage, Low Voltage, Scalability, Transmission Systems

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • The basics of operation and modulation techniques of various DC-AC voltage-sourced converters (VSCs), e.g., the conventional two-level converter and various multi-level VSCs
  • How to develop closed-loop control strategies for proper operation of various grid-connected VSCs under both steady-state and transient operating conditions
  • Ways to recognize the salient features of the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) as compared with other multilevel VSCs
  • The operational/control challenges associated with the MMC
  • Module 1: Basics of Inverters
    • Principles of operation of single-phase and three-phase DC-AC inverters, Space phasors and alpha-beta reference frame, Space vector modulation for three-phase inverters, Current control mode of inverters
  • Module 2: Modeling and Control of Grid-Connected Inverters
    • Modeling of three-phase grid-connected inverters, Closed-loop control of three-phase inverters
  • Module 3: Multilevel Converters
    • Basics of multilevel converters, Various multilevel converter topologies
  • Module 4: Modular Multilevel Converters
    • Basics of cascaded half-bridge and full-bridge modules, Control aspects of the modular multilevel converter, Circulating current control
  • Module 5: Control of Grid-Connected Modular Multilevel Converters
    • Control of grid-connected modular multilevel converter, Control of the MMC for High-Voltage DC (HVDC) transmission

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