Soft-switching cells for Modular Multilevel Converters for efficient grid integration of renewable sources

Abstract

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) concept is a modern energy conversion structure that stands out for a number of interesting features that opens wide application chances in Power Systems, for example for efficient grid integration of renewable sources. In these high-voltage, high-power application fields, a high efficiency is mandatory. In this regard, an interesting and promising development opportunity could be to make soft-switching the elementary converters of the submodules (cells), half H-bridges or full H-bridges, obtaining at the same time the advantage of increasing the switching frequency. The-Active Resonant Commutated Pole Converter (ARCP) or the Auxiliary Quasi Resonant DC-link Inverter (AQRDCL) soft-switching topologies appear adequate for this purpose. This paper is dedicated to examining these development possibilities.