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- On the Problem of Balancing the DC Capacitor Voltage Divider in Back-to-Back Multilevel ConvertersPublication . Chaves, Miguel; Margato, Elmano; Silva, J. Fernando; Pinto, Sónia F.This paper presents a new generalized solution for DC bus capacitors voltage balancing in back-to-back m level diode-clamped multilevel converters connecting AC networks. The solution is based on the DC bus average power flow and exploits the switching configuration redundancies. The proposed balancing solution is particularized for the back-to-back multilevel structure with m=5 levels. This back-to-back converter is studied working with bidirectional power flow, connecting an induction machine to the power grid.
- Fast optimum-predictive control and capacitor voltage balancing strategy for bipolar back-to-back NPC converters in high-voltage direct current transmission systemsPublication . Chaves, Miguel; Margato, Elmano; Silva, J. F.; Pinto, S. F.; Santana, J.Multilevel power converters have been introduced as the solution for high-power high-voltage switching applications where they have well-known advantages. Recently, full back-to-back connected multilevel neutral point diode clamped converters (NPC converter) have been used inhigh-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. Bipolar-connected back-to-back NPC converters have advantages in long-distance HVDCtransmission systems over the full back-to-back connection, but greater difficulty to balance the dc capacitor voltage divider on both sending and receiving end NPC converters. This study shows that power flow control and dc capacitor voltage balancing are feasible using fast optimum-predictive-based controllers in HVDC systems using bipolar back-to-back-connected five-level NPC multilevel converters. For both converter sides, the control strategytakes in account active and reactive power, which establishes ac grid currents in both ends, and guarantees the balancing of dc bus capacitor voltages inboth NPC converters. Additionally, the semiconductor switching frequency is minimised to reduce switching losses. The performance and robustness of the new fast predictive control strategy, and its capability to solve the DC capacitor voltage balancing problem of bipolar-connected back-to-back NPCconverters are evaluated.
- Using power electronics and automation to simulate solar PV systemsPublication . Fonte, Pedro M.; Cordeiro, Armando; Barata, Filipe; Pires, V. Fernão; Chaves, Miguel; Foito, Daniel; Gamboa, PauloThis paper presents a solar photovoltaic panel simulator system with the ability to perform automatic tests in different condition according to manufacture parameters. This simulator is based on three buck--boost DC -DC converters controlled by a microcontroller and supported by a AXC 1050 Programmable Logic Controller from Phoenix Contact which is responsible for running the automatic tests. This solution allows to understand the typical operation of solar photovoltaic panels and MPPT algorithms considering suddenly changes in the irradiation, temperature, or load.
- HVDC transmission systems: Bipolar back-to-back diode clamped multilevel converter with fastoptimum-predictive control and capacitor balancing strategyPublication . Chaves, Miguel; Margato, Elmano; Fernando Silva, J.; Pinto, Sónia F.; Santana, J.Voltage source multilevel power converter structures are being considered for high power high voltage applications where they have well known advantages. Recently, full back-to-back connected multilevel neutral diode clamped converters (NPC) have been used in high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. Bipolar back-to-back connection of NPCs have advantages in long distance HVDC transmission systems, but highly increased difficulties to balance the dc capacitor voltage dividers on both sending and receiving end NPCs. This paper proposes a fast optimum-predictive controller to balance the dc capacitor voltages and to control the power flow in a long distance HVDCsystem using bipolar back-to-back connected NPCs. For both converter sides, the control strategy considers active and reactive power to establish ac grid currents on sending and receiving ends, while guaranteeing the balancing of both NPC dc bus capacitor voltages. Furthermore, the fast predictivecontroller minimizes the semiconductor switching frequency to reduce global switching losses. The performance and robustness of the new fast predictive control strategy and the associated dc capacitors voltage balancing are evaluated. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Hybrid Sepic-Ćuk DC-DC Converter Associated to a SRM Drive for a Solar PV Powered Water Pumping SystemPublication . Cordeiro, Armando; Chaves, Miguel; Canacsinh, Hiren; Luís, Ricardo; Fernao Pires, Vitor; Foito, Daniel; Pires, A. J.; Martins, JoaoThe present paper describes a solar photovoltaic (SPV) powered water pumping system employing a switched reluctance motor (SRM) and a merged Sepic-Ćuk DC-DC converter. The proposed solution was designed to use efficiently the available solar energy in order to supply water pumping systems. Solutions of this kind assume a special importance in the current scenario of natural and renewable resources optimization. The proposed DC-DC converter operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM), which combined with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller, helps to optimize the power of the solar photovoltaic panel (SPV). The proposed DC-DC topology is characterized by high voltage static gain when compared with the classical boost topology and reduced voltage stress across the power switch and diodes. Several simulation and experimental results are presented in order to confirm the characteristics of the proposed solution for water pumping systems.
- A SRM for a PV powered water pumping system based on a multilevel converter and DC/DC dual output converterPublication . Foito, Daniel; Fernao Pires, Vitor; Cordeiro, Armando; Amaral, Tito; Chaves, Miguel; Pires, Armando; Martins, JoaoThis paper focuses on a proposal for a system based on a photovoltaic (PV) supply for a powered water pumping. The system consists in a switched reluctance machine (SRM) controlled by a multilevel converter and fed by PV panels associated to a DC/DC converter. The multilevel power converter proposed to control the SRM was designed to minimize the switches and to support the balance of the two input capacitors. The DC/DC converter consists in a hybrid solution that merges a Buck-Boost converter with a Sepic converter. They use a topology solution in which the input current presents a reduced ripple and only requires one switch. This DC/DC converter is also characterized by a dual output to adapt to the multilevel converter. The control system and a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm are also presented. The operation of this system will be verified by tests that are done by computer simulations.
- Powertrain test bench systemPublication . Fonte, Pedro M; Almeida, Paulo; Luís, Ricardo; Pereira, Rita; Chaves, MiguelIn parallel with major automotive manufacturers, some smaller companies are trying to launch their own electric or hybrid-propulsion models. During the development of these prototypes some tests must be done, namely consumption, autonomy, batteries state-of-charge, gradability, among others. The results of these tests can lead changes in design, motorization or battery packages. This paper presents a powertrain test bench system in order to test electrical vehicles. Regarding the automobile sector, and due to EU ruling, it is intended to enable the test bench to apply the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle. Having a laboratorial test bench that can emulate vehicle dynamics under a specific drive cycle will allow small automotive manufacturers to confirm compliance with the mandatory drive cycles during different stages of their development. Nevertheless, other electric vehicles (EV) like boats or trains, can also be tested since the mathematical models of their dynamics are available.
- PV generator-fed water pumping system based on a SRM with a multilevel fault-tolerant converterPublication . Fernao Pires, Vitor; Foito, Daniel; Cordeiro, Armando; Chaves, Miguel; Pires, Armando J.This paper presents a pumping system supplied by a PV generator that is based on a switched reluctance machine (SRM). Water pumping systems are fundamental in many applications. Most of them can be used only during the day; therefore, they are highly recommended for use with PV generators. For the interface between the PV panels and the motor, a new multilevel converter is proposed. This converter is designed in order to ensure fault-tolerant capability for open switch faults. The converter is based on two three-level inverters, with some extra switches. Moreover, to reduce the number of switches, the converter is designed to provide inverse currents in the motor windings. Due to the characteristics of this motor, the inverse currents do not change the torque direction. In this way, it was possible to obtain an SRM drive with fault-tolerant capability for transistor faults; it is also a low-cost solution, due to the reduced number of switches and drives. These characteristics of fault-tolerant capability and low cost are important in applications such as water pumping systems supplied by PV generators. The proposed system was verified by several tests that were carried out by a simulation program. The experimental results, obtained from a laboratory prototype, are also presented, with the purpose of validating the simulation tests.
- Novel design of the converter for an active UPS application based on Marx modulator concept with supercapacitorsPublication . Pestana, Celso; Canacsinh, Hiren; Chaves, Miguel; Gamboa, Paulo; Cordeiro, Armando; Luís, Ricardo; Martins, Ana Alexandra; Encarnação, Luís; Pereira, Fernando; Silva, José Fernando; Santos, NunoA new Marx modulator 4-leg multilevel converter is proposed to replace the well-known 4-leg inverter fed from batteries in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) applications. The novel design concept for the Marx modulator based multilevel converter is presented and described. Each leg uses 2 Marx modulator modules, each one using an Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitor (EDLC) (also known as supercapacitor (SC)) energy storage bank. The new topology concept enables multilevel operation with five voltage level per phase, allowing high quality voltage and current waveforms, distributed supercapacitor storage and reduction of supercapacitor bank voltage. The proposed converter can operate as UPS or as Active Power Filter (APF), powering non-linear or/and unbalanced loads, while balancing each leg supercapacitor voltage. A control strategy to choose the redundant vector configuration to balance the supercapacitor voltages is explained. Simulation results are presented for a Marx modulator based interactive 40 kVA UPS.
- A new backward Euler stabilized optimum controller for NPC back-to-back five level convertersPublication . Chaves, Miguel; Silva, Fernando José; Pinho, Ferreira Sónia; Margato, Elmano; Santana, JoãoThis paper presents a backward Euler stabilized-based control strategy applied to a neutral point clamped (NPC) back-to-back connected five level converters. A generalized method is used to obtain the back-to-back NPC converter system model. The backward Euler stabilized-based control strategy uses one set of calculations to compute the optimum voltage vector needed to reach the references and to balance the voltage of the DC-bus capacitors. The output voltage vector is selected using a modified cost functional that includes variable tracking errors in the functional weights, whereas in classic approaches, the weights are considered constant. The proposed modified cost functional enables AC current tracking and DC-bus voltage balancing in a wide range of operating conditions. The paper main contributions are: (i) a backward Euler stabilized-based control strategy applied to a double, back-to-back connected, five level NPC converter; (ii) the use of cost functional weight varying as a function of the controlled variable tracking errors to enforce the controlled variables and to balance the DC capacitor voltages; and (iii) the demonstration of system feasibility for this type of converter topology and control strategy, ensuring a high enough computational efficiency and extending the modulation index from 0.6 to 0.93. Experimental results are presented using a prototype of a five level NPC back-to-back converter.