Real-Time Emulation of a PMSM-Loaded MMC With BESS

Abstract

This paper details a validated real-time emulation of a modular multilevel converter with integrated energy storage sub-modules. The real-time emulated system is implemented using MicroLabBox/ dSPACE. A validation is carried out by constructing and testing a prototype of the converter with a reduced number of voltage levels and integrated batteries. The real-time operation of the emulated converter is tested under a range of loading conditions and compared to the prototype. Emulated results closely match the physical prototype results. Based on this outcome, a converter that comprises a high number of sub-modules is emulated and investigated when connected to a large scale motor. This research provided a seamless extension of the model from a lower to a higher number of converter sub-modules with minor changes in the emulation structure, the basic control and the sorting algorithm. This is a novel real-time emulation of the converter that can be used for electric vehicle application using MicroLabBox/dSPACE.