The presence and evolution of static power converters in electric grids are growing on a daily basis. Starting from the most used voltage source converter (VSC), passing through the use of multilevel converters, the most recent configuration is the so-called modular multilevel converter (MMC). Because of its intrinsic advantages, it is used not only in high-voltage systems but also in low- and medium-voltage ones to interface renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV) panels. Several configurations and maximum power point tracker (MPPT) algorithms have been proposed and analyzed for MMC-PV-based systems. However, when using distributed MPPTs, partial shading conditions cause a problem. The PV panel can be directly connected to the MMC using its dc link or submodule. Based on this configuration, this paper proposes a novel control strategy that tracks both the ac grid current and ac circulating current for a single-phase low-voltage system to obtain the maximum power under any irradiance condition. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is demonstrated through time-domain simulation results.

The diffusion of electric vehicles will be strongly related to the capacity to charge them in short times. To do so, the necessity of widespread fast charging stations arises. However, their intermittent demand represents a challenging load for grid operators. In order to relieve their impact on the electrical grid operation, integrating storage systems in the charging stations represents a potential solution, although it complicates the overall system management. Moreover, standard converter architectures for the MV grid interface require the installation of bulky transformers and filters. In order to cope with the mentioned problems, this paper proposes an ultra-fast charging station topology based on a modular multilevel converter (MMC) structure and dual-active bridge (DAB) converters. Thanks to the multilevel converter properties, the proposed charging station can be directly interfaced with the MV grid without requiring transformers or filters. Additionally, exploiting the degree of freedom in the converter control system, such as circulating components, offers uneven power distribution among the converter submodules that can be managed. Along with the MMC control strategy, the article addresses a straightforward methodology to select the main parameters of the DAB converter as a function of the involved grid power and circulating power contributions, with the primary goal of obtaining a trade-off between internal balancing performances and a broad soft-switching region without incurring in converter oversizing. The effectiveness of the proposed charging station is finally discussed through numerical simulations, where its behavior during a power demand cycle is analyzed.

This paper proposes a novel balancing control strategy for modular multilevel converters (MMCs) integrating a battery pack (BP) at the submodule level. During the converter operation, balancing the energy of the distributed resources within the converter is necessary to ensure the converter stability, avoid generating undesired current harmonic components, and increase the overall system efficiency. In particular, exploiting the MMC topology, AC and DC circulating currents are controlled to cope with unbalanced conditions. In this context, this paper proposes a circulating current control strategy to equalize the state-of-charge (SOC) values of BPs by properly injecting AC and DC circulating currents. In addition, a dynamic saturation method for the circulating components was designed to reduce the SOC equalization time while continuously preventing the design converter limitations from being overcome. The proposed control algorithm was experimentally tested and compared with a state-of-the-art solution, which demonstrated its effectiveness in terms of the overall efficiency and balancing time.

This paper proposes a sizing procedure for the cascaded H-bridge (CHB) converters integrating the battery energy storage system at the submodule level through a dual active bridge (DAB) converter. The suggested methodology considers different parameters, such as the adopted modulation strategies and the topology of the DAB converter employed. Three possible DAB configurations are considered: the one using only full-bridges (for both sides), the one using only half-bridges (for both sides) or a mixed configuration using half-bridge on one side and full-bridge on the other side. After determining the system parameters, the solution capable of reaching the required efficiency target at the minimum cost is obtained. The cost analysis and the efficiency evaluation are carried out considering a dataset containing almost 1000 semiconductor devices whose datasheets have been taken from the manufacturers' websites. The procedure has been developed in the framework of a collaboration with NHOA Energy and its effectiveness is demonstrated by sizing a 1 MW-CHB converter combined with energy storage systems at 11 kV.

The European Call HORIZON-CL5-2024-D5-01-02 suggested goals and future trends for electric powertrains. Focusing on the next-generation electric vehicles, 1.2 kV architectures were recognized to be suitable outcomes for improving the state of the art, enabling a strong reduction in the charging current and enlarging the vehicle driving ranges. Nevertheless, sizing all the vehicle components for such high voltage could be counterproductive. Hence, this work proposes the adoption of a 1.2 kV dc, 350 kW modular multilevel converter with distributed battery packs that can carry out ultra-fast-dc recharges. Its modular nature allows sizing the power electronics and several passive components on much lower voltage levels, with low cost-per-component and limited losses. In addition, this converter topology proved to be flexible, implements cell battery balancing algorithms, and ensures backward compatibility with the existing dc and ac charging modes without the need for any additional on-board charger. Finally, the converter can be installed on a dual motor powertrain. This article shows an electric drive involving two 440 V, 75 kW induction machines. The traction and dc-charging capabilities of the converter were experimentally verified with a small-scale prototype.

The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) in transmission and distribution systems presents several challenges for grid operators. In particular, the unpredictable behavior of RESs can disrupt the balance between energy production and load demand, potentially affecting the stability of the entire system. Grid-connected energy storage systems (ESSs) offer a possible solution to manage the uncertainty associated with RESs. In fact, ESSs exchange power with the grid through the adoption of suitable energy management strategies, which are typically implemented by power electronics-based grid interfaces. Unlike other current source converter (CSC) solutions described in the literature, which only interface with a single energy storage device, this paper introduces a novel topology for a three-phase delta-type current source converter (D-CSC), which is capable of integrating three independent ESSs using the same number of semiconductors as traditional CSC solutions. Thus, it considerably enhances the flexibility of a power conversion system (PCS) without increasing the number of converter components. In addition, an innovative energy management control strategy is also introduced. This strategy enables the D-CSC to compensate for energy imbalances arising between the three ESSs, which might be caused by several factors, such as different aging characteristics, converter component tolerances, operating conditions, and temperature drifts. Hence, the D-CSC-based interface is capable of proper grid operation even if the three ESSs have different characteristics, thus opening the possibility of employing this converter to integrate both first and second-life devices. First, the topology of the proposed D-CSC is introduced, followed by a detailed mathematical description of its control strategy. The proper grid operation of the D-CSC was tested under different scenarios, considering the grid integration of three independent superconducting magnetic energy storage systems in a marine vessel. The proposed D-CSC is compared to traditional CSC solutions, highlighting the superior performances of the novel converter topology in terms of efficiency, total harmonic distortion of the output currents, and overall cost reduction for the PCS.