The absence of modulator in model based predictive control technique for different converter topologies generates a variable switching frequency that produces high frequency harmonics and higher stress on the power semiconductor devices. In this paper, a novel model based predictive control strategy with a fixed switching frequency applied to a three-phase cascade H-bridge multilevel STATCOM is introduced with the aim to increase the performance of classical model predictive control. Simulation results show increased performance of the proposed control method in terms of current waveform total harmonic distortion.

Increasing worldwide energy demand and well known pollution effects of fossil fuels, make necessary to develop new environmentally friendly energy generation systems such as wind energy. In this research a predictive current control with reactive power reduction is proposed for a six-phase energy generator - multi-modular matrix converter system. The proposal shows a significant harmonic reduction in the generator side and a THD less than 0.6% at the load side, with good current tracking, making it suitable for further grid interconnection.

There are several control techniques for active power filter applications. This paper presents a new alternative of predictive current control for a cascade H-bridge multilevel converter, where the optimal vector selected by the predictive controller is used for a modulation stage to obtain a fixed switching frequency. Simulation results validate the proposal where almost similar results can be obtained in comparison with the traditional methods.

Conventional model based predictive control for cascade H-bridge multilevel STATCOM produces a different switching pattern for different cells. As a consequence, stresses, DC-link imbalance and active power losses are generated among the cells. To solve the aforementioned issues, this paper proposes to include a switcher of redundant vectors on the conventional model based predictive method. Additionally, improve the performance in terms of total harmonic distortion and remain focus the reactive power compensation. Simulation results are analyzed to verify the effectiveness of this proposal.

This paper presents an active power filter based on a seven-level cascade H-bridge where the main contribution is a control strategy that combines model-based predictive control, the voltage vectors of the converter output levels, the phase shift PWM technique, and suboptimal DC-link voltage control. The proposed scheme greatly simplified the overall control system, making it well suited to compensate the current harmonics distortion at the grid side, generated by nonlinear loads connected to the point of common coupling. In addition, the proposed method achieved a balancing of the capacitor voltages of the seven-level cascade H-bridge converter by using the minimum DC-link voltage sensors. This feature significantly reduced the control system complexity and provided a low computational burden. Experimental results confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed controller.

Model predictive control techniques are characterized by a variable switching frequency which cause noise as well as large voltage and current ripple. In this paper a predictive control strategy with a fixed switching frequency for a single-phase active power filter, namely modulated model predictive control, is proposed. This technique produces modulated waveform at the output of the converter. The feasibility of this strategy is evaluated using simulation results to demonstrate the advantages of predictive control, such as fast dynamic response and the easy inclusion of nonlinearities. The constraints of the system are maintained but the performance of the system in terms of power quality is improved compared to the traditional model predictive control strategy.