Switch Voltage Rating Selection Considering Cost-Oriented Redundancy and Modularity-based Trade-offs in Modular Multilevel Converter

Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) find increasing applications in medium to high-voltage systems. In such systems, reliability-oriented selection of power electronic switches becomes essential because higher modularity implies an increased number of components. The trade-off between the impact of higher modularity on converter reliability...

Development of Reliable Power Electronic Systems using Real Time Digital Twin Based Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed

Reliable Power Electronic Systems (PES) are vital for enabling energy transition technologies of the future. Power hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) test bed can be used to validate such systems cost-effectively and time-efficiently. In general, the Real Time Digital Twin (RTDT) is a virtual representation of the PES and its operating environment that...

Comparison of Military Handbook and the FIDES Methodology for Failure Rate Estimation of Modular Multilevel Converters

Power electronics converters are crucial for power generation, transmission, and distribution. The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is highly valued for its ability to handle high power levels, versatility in reconfiguration, high efficiency through small-capacity submodules (SMs), and robust control capabilities. A failure of a power...

Load Profile Based Reliability Assessment of IGBT Module in Full-bridge DC/DC Converter for Fast Charging of EVs

EV Fast chargers are crucial to alleviate the driving range anxiety for E-mobility applications. A typical converter load profile consists of a short high-current pulse to rapidly refill the EV battery followed by a cooling-off period once the charging is completed. Power electronic components experience thermal cycles as a result, which can...

Reconfigurability, Modularity and Redundancy Trade-offs for Grid Connected Power Electronic Systems

Power electronic converters (PECs) are workhorses of emerging distribution networks. PEC interfaced grids can function as flexible power corridors facilitating compact and efficient energy exchange between distribution generation, load and storage elements. Introducing adequate Reconfigurability, Modularity, and Redundancy (RMR) in such PEC...

Impact of the Various Components Consideration on Choosing Optimal Redundancy Strategy in MMC

Power electronics converters will play a crucial role in power grid expansion. Superior advantages offered by MMC make it the most popular candidate amongst various converter topologies. However, due to a large number of components installed within MMC, reliability analysis is an unavoidable task that needs to be carried out to maximize the MMC...