Finite control set model predictive control for paralleled uninterruptible power supplies

Abstract

Nowadays, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) play an important role in feeding critical loads in the electric power systems such as data centers or large communication hubs. Due to the increasing power of these loads and frequent need for expansion or redundancy, UPS systems are frequently connected in parallel. However, when UPS systems are parallel-connected, two fundamental requirements must be verified: Potential circulating currents between the systems must be eliminated and the load power must be distributed between the systems according to UPS systems availability. Moreover, a high-quality load voltage waveform must be permanently ensured. In this paper innovative control strategies are proposed for paralleled UPS systems based on Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC). The proposed strategies simultaneously provide: Controlled load power distribution, circulating current suppression and a high-quality load voltage waveform. A new dynamic converters deactivation mechanism is proposed. This new technique provides improved overall system efficiency and reduced power switches stress. In this paper, two multilevel based UPS systems are parallel-connected. Each UPS contains two three-level Neutral Point-Clamped-Converters (3LNPC) and a three-level DC-DC converter. The presented experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies in several operating conditions.