This paper proposes a multilevel high-frequency-link dc transformer (MDCT) based on dual active phase-shift principle for medium-voltage dc (MVDC) power distribution application. The proposed MDCT employs multilevel and multiplex conversion principle, which brings many advantages and makes the operation of MDCT quite different with the traditional dc transformer (TDCT) and modular multilevel converter. Compared to the TDCT scheme, the proposed MDCT has smaller circulating current and higher power factor; it can operate as a dc breaker to cutoff the connection with the MVDC distribution grid absolutely when a short fault occurs in the distribution grid; the redundant design can be achieved when some submodules failure to improve the reliability. In the paper, the topology, operation principle, modulation method, switching characterization, voltage, and power characterization, and control strategy of MDCT are presented and analyzed comprehensively. At last, a MDCT prototype is built and the experimental results verify the correctness and effectively of the proposed solution.

DC grids, including highvoltage dc (HVdc) transmissions, midvoltage dc (MVdc) distributions, and low-voltage dc (LVdc) supply systems, have elicited widespread concern and rapidly developed in recent years [1]-[6]. Voltage and power can be flexibly controlled because power electronic equipment is widely used in dc grids. Moreover, the conversion stage for energy storage and renewable energy systems in dc grids can be simplified. Such simplification can reduce cost, enhance power conversion efficiency, and improve power quality.

Series-connected-based offshore wind farms can eliminate bulky central offshore converters, transformers, and platforms. In a series-connected-based offshore wind farm, the DC voltage of the converters should be changed within a large range to control the DC link voltage (grid side) and maximize wind power acquisition (generator side). In this study, the full-bridge-based modular multilevel converter (FB-MMC) is proposed as grid- and generator-side converters. The DC voltage of the FB-MMC can vary in a large range because the full-bridge submodule (FBSM) is used. The control method of the FB-MMC in a series-connected-based offshore wind farm is different from those of traditional ones. The DC current control and capacitor voltage balance control are proposed in this study, with which the FB-MMC can operate normally in the series connected offshore wind farm. Moreover, the capacitor ripple voltage in the generator-side FB-MMC is studied. The result shows that the capacitor in the FBSM can be designed in rated power and frequency, and it will be feasible when the power and frequency decrease. Simulation and experiment results verify the feasibility of the proposed configuration and the corresponding control algorithm.

The exploitation of offshore wind power has increased rapidly in recent years. To gain more wind power energy, offshore wind farms move farther from onshore. A comparison between HVAC and HVDC in terms of reliability, cost and transmission capability shows that HVDC is more suitable for long‐distance, high‐capacity bulk power transmission. However, the HVDC transmission for offshore wind power also faces great challenges because the offshore applications bring critical demands for low volume and low weight for the converters at the offshore side. On the other hand, the new topologies and conversion techniques of power electronic converters expedite many new DC transmission architectures for offshore wind power. Different HVDC architectures by using centralised voltage source converter (VSC), diode rectifier (DR), series‐connected wind turbine converters and all‐DC wind farm based on DC transformers are reviewed and compared. The advantages, challenges and development and application prospects for various DC transmission solutions are discussed.

This study adopts the method of third-order harmonic voltage injection (THVI) to move the peak value of a reference voltage toward the high capacitor voltage and increase the utilization rate of the capacitor voltage. This method can lower the cost or enlarge the capacity of a modular multilevel converter (MMC) when applied in high-voltage direct-current transmission. In this paper, the principle of THVI is introduced. Two calculation methods for modulation waves are studied, and the mathematical expressions of the capacitor voltage under all operating conditions are deduced. Thus, the optimal magnitude and phase of the third-order harmonic voltage are determined under all operating conditions. The mathematical expressions of the optimal magnitude and phase of the third-order harmonic voltage are obtained, and their online calculation burden is reduced. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method of THVI is feasible and effective.

This article proposes that a modular multilevel converter (MMC) based on the integrated-gate commutated thyristor (IGCT) is a promising solution for future highvoltage dc (HVdc) applications. The system-level scheme and technical issues of the IGCT MMC are proposed, and the commutation behaviors of the IGCT and the snubber circuit in the MMC are analyzed. On this basis, the optimal designs of the anode inductor, power supply system, valve series, and submodule structure are proposed, and a comprehensive experimental platform is built. Detailed experiments are conducted, including a double-pulse switching experiment, a back-to-back power cycling experiment, and an MMC operation experiment. Furthermore, the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed IGCT MMC solution are verified.