Improved Fault-Tolerant Method for Modular Multilevel Converters by Combined DC and Neutral-Shift Strategy

Abstract

In this paper, an improved postfault strategy is introduced for modular multilevel converters, which utilizes the remaining healthy capacity of the converter more efficiently and increases the line voltage amplitude under these circumstances. Previous works proposed to use the neutral point shift in ac side and dc side of the converter simultaneously. This paper adds a comprehensive and coherent formulation, deep analyzation, and experimental validation. The main improvement of the proposed method is maximizing the line voltage amplitude using the optimum dc component and the best neutral point position. Indeed, fewer restrictions in fault numbers, fewer restrictions in load power factor, and fewer nonsolution conditions are among other improvements of a combined dc and neutral-shift method. Comparative simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.