A matrix NxM multi phase converter is a very simple structure incorporating NxM bi-directional switches, able to convert input voltages into output voltages of any shape and frequency. However, commutation problems and complicated control algorithms keep it from being utilized on a large scale. This paper shows a new field of application of the matrix converter, witch is working as a connection device between or as an interconnection device within power system. The task performed by this connection is a control of power flow and power flow oscillations dumping. The device can be viewed as new FACS device, based on straight forward energy conversion.

The article describes the application of a straight forward energy converter, a multiphase matrix converter (MC), as part of a device, connected parallel to the power grid, and able to supply variable reactive power flow to the power system. The research performed by authors included the development of control procedures for a multiphase MC, based on a new approach and power system (application) requirements. The multiphase MC structure (6 × 6, 12 × 12) was used since the proposed control procedure creates output as the combination of input voltages. The increased number of phases decreases the order of harmonics in the MC converter similarly as in multilevel converters. This manuscript concentrates on the mathematical analysis of MC work under the “one periodical” algorithm and links it introduces in the power system. The previously developed, spatial-temporal mathematical model of the MC was limited to the dominant (first) harmonic and applied between the grid and reactive load. The results obtained from the analysis of the model showed that, for the applied control procedure (one periodical algorithm), the output voltage is built only from positive or negative sequences of input voltage. Three cases were recognized where the sign input power factor depends on input voltage and control sequence as well as on the value of control frequency. The effects of the model simulation were compared to those obtained from the MATLAB simulation and from the real laboratory 30 kVA-rated model. The main factors analyzed during this research include the expected value and distortion of input current and sign of reactive input power.

This paper investigates a new concept of a voltage phase controller for power systems. The proposed device consists of two transformers with a 3-phase input and an N-phase output and an NtimesN matrix converter between them. The device is considered to control power flow control though a transmission line, when voltage phase shifts occur in the power system. Two special control strategies of matrix converter are described and tested by elementary simulations for an idealized 12times12 matrix converter. Results of numerical tests allow to choose a proper control strategy of the matrix converter.

The paper shows a new control strategy for the matrix converter, witch can be applied to the multiphase device. Multiphase converters (12 x12 structures) do not require costly and non effective filters and show much better over all performance than three phase ones, thus they can be utilized on a large scale. The task to be carried out by the MC, is to transform an N-phase, symmetric system of voltages of certain frequency to the N-phase symmetric system of voltages with different frequency and shifted by an arbitrary initial angle. The research includes detailed development of the converter's control procedure and its initial evaluation and describes the properties of the MC working under proposed algorithm. The evaluation of the proposed procedure is done using Matlab Simulink programming.

Generators with relatively high speed, from 15000 rpm until 40000 rpm, are used to obtain high efficiency of power generation. Electric power generated by such generator has high frequency and must be converted to the frequency in a commercial grid. A frequency converter for such application should generate symmetrical three-phase voltages with relatively lower level of higher harmonics. In this paper, a matrix converter is considered for this purpose and a special control strategy, which allows to generate voltages like those obtained from a cycloconverter is described