Modeling Strategy for Back-to-Back Three-Level Converters Applied to High-Power Wind Turbines

Abstract

Three-level converters are becoming a realistic alternative to the conventional converters in high-power wind-energy applications. In this paper, a complete analytical strategy to model a back-to-back three-level converter is described. This tool permits us to adapt the control strategy to the specific application. Moreover, the model of different loads can be incorporated to the overall model. Both control strategy and load models are included in the complete system model. The proposed model pays special attention to the unbalance in the capacitors' voltage of three-level converters, including the dynamics of the capacitors' voltage. In order to validate the model and the control strategy proposed in this paper, a 3-MW three-level back-to-back power converter used as a power conditioning system of a variable speed wind turbine has been simulated. Finally, the described strategy has been implemented in a 50-kVA scalable prototype as well, providing a satisfactory performance.