Delta-Connected MMC Control Decoupling Transient Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The control mechanisms for delta-connected modular multilevel converters (MMC) interfere with each other during transient fluctuations, leading to unstable operation due to interference between average voltage control and phase-specific voltage control of DC capacitors.

Innovation Solution

A control configuration that separates the control of output currents and circulating currents by removing the representative voltage deviation of all capacitors from the circulating current control computation, preventing interference between output current control and circulating current control, and using specific control units to manage interphase balance and voltage commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If control means for average voltage of all DC capacitors and control means for average voltage of DC capacitors in each phase are both implemented, then voltage balance is improved, but control stability deteriorates during transient fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage balance precisionVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control means is segmented into two independent parts: (1) control means for the average value of voltages across all DC capacitors, and (2) control means for the average value of voltages across DC capacitors in each phase. These are implemented as separate control loops that operate independently, preventing mutual interference while achieving comprehensive voltage balance control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circulating current is introduced as an intermediary variable to decouple the control of output current and DC capacitor voltage. By controlling the circulating current separately, the patent enables independent management of power distribution among cells without interfering with the output current control, thus maintaining stability during transient fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If delta-connected MMC configuration is used, then high voltage capability is improved, but control complexity increases due to circulation current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage capabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation current component is extracted and controlled separately from the output current. By identifying and isolating the circulation current path in the delta-connected configuration, the patent enables independent control of this additional current component, simplifying the overall control strategy despite the complex topology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control strategy changes the approach by introducing circulating current as a controllable parameter rather than treating it as an unwanted artifact. This parameter change allows the system to actively manage the circulation current to maintain voltage balance while preserving the high voltage capability of the delta-connected MMC.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3627684B1Power conversion device
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3627684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3627684B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3627684B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device (3) generates a voltage command value for controlling a current flowing between a three-phase AC power supply (1) and a power converter (2) such that a full voltage representative value representing voltage values of all power storage devices agrees with a DC voltage command value. The control device (3) generates a zero-phase voltage command value for controlling a circulating current flowing in a delta connection such that the voltage values of the power storage devices are balanced among first to third arms (A1 to A3). The control device (3) combines the voltage command value and the zero-phase current command value to generate an output voltage command value for controlling an output voltage of each unit converter (5). The control device (3) removes a control amount of the full voltage representative value from a computation of the zero-phase voltage command value to cause output current control and circulating current control not to interfere with each other.