Date of Graduation
8-2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Electrical Engineering
Advisor/Mentor
Balda, Juan C.
Committee Member
Mantooth, H. Alan
Second Committee Member
Mantooth, H. Alan
Third Committee Member
McCann, Roy A.
Keywords
Applied sciences; Hvdc transmission; Modular multilevel converters; Power electronics
Abstract
This thesis focus on high voltage direct current (HVdc) energy transmission using modular multilevel converter (MMC) based terminals. It provides a brief comparison between different HVdc technologies, focusing on voltage source converters (HVdc-VSC) with the MMC-based terminal emerging as the topology of choice for ratings less than 1 GW. The controllers for a two-terminal HVdc-link are analyzed and Matlab/SimulinkTM simulation models are presented. The simplified models and full Matlab/SimulinkTM based model are used to select the gains for the MMC controllers. Simulation results carried out on the full model validated the proposed methodologies. A new control technique that eliminates the voltage sensors on the grid side normally used to synchronize the MMC-based terminal with the grid is proposed. The performance of proposed technique was evaluated through Matlab/SimulinkTM simulations by considering inverter operation. The sensorless technique is able to synchronize a MMC-based inverter terminal to a grid under non-ideal conditions as well to accurately detect changes in the grid voltages. Finally, an analysis of the impact that a 15-kV SiC IGBT would have on HVdc MMC-based terminals is presented. The analysis evaluates parasitic inductances within the sub-module (SM) of an MMC, changes on the required SM capacitance, and impact on the voltage waveform THD. The evaluations showed that the 15-kV SiC IGBT would be only suitable if the module is rated 400 A or greater.
Citation
Guzman Pinzon, D. A. (2013). High Voltage Direct Current Energy Transmission Using Modular Multilevel Converters. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/859
Included in
Electrical and Electronics Commons, Electronic Devices and Semiconductor Manufacturing Commons