D.A. Ganeshpure
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This article proposes a new configuration of a modular multilevel converter (MMC) and a Marx generator to generate fast-rising impulse waveforms. This new configuration improves the capabilities of the MMC-based high voltage arbitrary wave shape generator to generate fast-rising impulse since the MMC topology faces many inherent limitations. Similar to the conventional superimposed circuit of the ac transformer or dc rectifier circuit with the Marx generator, three hybrid circuits of MMC and the Marx generator are introduced, where the most optimal choice is made considering the practical aspects of testing, such as the size, cost, and preparation time. Then, a detailed analytical study is performed on the Marx generator circuit and the MMC circuit, and both circuits are coupled together to deliver a complete guideline on choosing various system parameters when the impulse wave shape and the load capacitor are given. The concept of this new hybrid configuration is demonstrated with a scaled-down prototype where the impulse with a rise time of 1 μs is superimposed on different arbitrary wave shapes. Similarly, the MATLAB-Simulink simulation model validates the proposed configuration for a 200, k V dc link voltage and 67 submodules with the desired impulse performance.
To overcome these challenges, an Arbitrary Wave shape Generator (AWG) for dielectric testing of HV grid assets is proposed. The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) topology is chosen for its modular structure, low harmonic content, and scalability to higher voltage levels. The initial focus is on dielectric testing of Medium Voltage (MV) class equipment, with the ultimate goal being the development of a modular prototype as part of a PhD project.
HV test requirements and procedures for conventional tests of MV class equipment are compiled, along with specifications for non-standard wave shapes in consideration of the hybrid grid. Two main HV test requirements are addressed in the PhD thesis: the output voltage range of 10 kV to 100 kV with a load capacitance range of 50 pF to 10 nF and a large-signal bandwidth up to 2.5 kHz. The second requirement involves generating steep pulses with a rise time of a few microseconds for a voltage magnitude of 250 kV across a capacitive load of 10 nF.
Despite the maturity of MMC technology for HVDC transmission, adapting it for HV AWG applications presents unique challenges. The thesis explores design trade-offs related to MMC parameters such as the number of Submodules (SMs) per arm, arm inductance, arm resistance, modulation technique, SM capacitance, and control system. Design criteria are developed and demonstrated through simulation models and a scaled-down prototype.
The control hardware of the HV AWG is addressed using a commercially available Real Time Simulator (RTS) named Typhoon-HIL. This choice is based on its flexibility to program arbitrary waveforms in the FPGA without coding in any special hardware description language. The performance is demonstrated in the scaled-down prototype, achieving sinusoidal waveforms up to 5 kHz reference frequency with THD less than 5%.
The second HV test requirement, steep pulse generation, is investigated with the MMC topology. It is found that the series-connected SMs of MMC make it challenging to obtain a short rise time across a large capacitive load. To address this, an integrated hybrid circuit of MMC and Marx generator circuit is proposed for complex waveforms with a rise time faster than 100 μs. Proper guidelines for choosing circuit parameters are provided and experimentally validated with a scaled-down prototype. ...
To overcome these challenges, an Arbitrary Wave shape Generator (AWG) for dielectric testing of HV grid assets is proposed. The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) topology is chosen for its modular structure, low harmonic content, and scalability to higher voltage levels. The initial focus is on dielectric testing of Medium Voltage (MV) class equipment, with the ultimate goal being the development of a modular prototype as part of a PhD project.
HV test requirements and procedures for conventional tests of MV class equipment are compiled, along with specifications for non-standard wave shapes in consideration of the hybrid grid. Two main HV test requirements are addressed in the PhD thesis: the output voltage range of 10 kV to 100 kV with a load capacitance range of 50 pF to 10 nF and a large-signal bandwidth up to 2.5 kHz. The second requirement involves generating steep pulses with a rise time of a few microseconds for a voltage magnitude of 250 kV across a capacitive load of 10 nF.
Despite the maturity of MMC technology for HVDC transmission, adapting it for HV AWG applications presents unique challenges. The thesis explores design trade-offs related to MMC parameters such as the number of Submodules (SMs) per arm, arm inductance, arm resistance, modulation technique, SM capacitance, and control system. Design criteria are developed and demonstrated through simulation models and a scaled-down prototype.
The control hardware of the HV AWG is addressed using a commercially available Real Time Simulator (RTS) named Typhoon-HIL. This choice is based on its flexibility to program arbitrary waveforms in the FPGA without coding in any special hardware description language. The performance is demonstrated in the scaled-down prototype, achieving sinusoidal waveforms up to 5 kHz reference frequency with THD less than 5%.
The second HV test requirement, steep pulse generation, is investigated with the MMC topology. It is found that the series-connected SMs of MMC make it challenging to obtain a short rise time across a large capacitive load. To address this, an integrated hybrid circuit of MMC and Marx generator circuit is proposed for complex waveforms with a rise time faster than 100 μs. Proper guidelines for choosing circuit parameters are provided and experimentally validated with a scaled-down prototype.
To test high-voltage (HV) equipment with increasingly complex transients obtained from various power system studies, this article demonstrates a hardware implementation of a medium-voltage (MV) submodule (SM) to be used in a modular multilevel converter (MMC)-based HV arbitrary wave shape generator (AWG). The MV SM is scalable with its own onboard auxiliary power supply (APS), and it is constructed by connecting three full-bridge SMs in series from the commercially available component. The designed MV SM can be operated for a wide voltage range of 0.8-2.7 kV to incorporate different test objects ranging from HV insulation material to MV equipment and generate a wide output range of 0.12-1.2 kV. Considering the hardware nonidealities in the APS, gate driver, and switches, the series operation of three SMs is ensured using an arm energy controller. Based on the current-based model of APS, SM capacitance design criteria are updated for variable-frequency output waveform, and the minimum dc-link voltage is calculated for the proper start-up of this scalable MMC module. Apart from the variable voltage per SM, the HV AWG application poses different conditions, such as a low value of SM capacitance value and the HV dc sources with a current rating of a few tens of milliamperes. Hence, this article proposes exclusive design guidelines for the proper start-up, steady-state, and shutdown operation of the MMC-based AWG. In addition, this article dives deeper analytically into the soft start-up algorithm to understand its working principle and to design the average charging current within the limit for any number of SMs of the arm. In the end, their performance is showcased with a single MV SM per arm, operating at a different voltage (0.8-2.7 kV) and frequency levels (1-600 Hz) and generating different wave shapes, such as triangular, sinusoidal with different harmonics, and pulse waveforms. In addition, the fault ride-through capability is verified for the MMC-based HV AWG.
With the widespread application of power electronic switching technology, power equipment is facing new electrical stresses brought about by multilevel staircase voltages during testing and operation. Therefore, the partial discharge (PD) behavior of five typical defects in power equipment under the staircase waveform needs to be investigated. This article mainly analyses the phase-resolved PD (PRPD) pattern and pulse repetition rate (PRR) of five typical defects under sinusoidal voltage and multilevel staircase voltage with different number of levels. Also, the PD behavior under staircase voltage with different step responses are investigated. By analyzing the reasons behind the PD behavior between different cases, the PD characteristics and the transformation of PRPD patterns under different staircase voltages are obtained. Moreover, this research finds that the sensitivity of different defects to the staircase voltage is different. These results provide experimental and theoretical support for the testing and diagnosis of PD under new electrical stress present in the future flexible electric grid.
This paper comprehensivelyinvestigates the design trade-offs of a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) operations as an Arbitrary Wave shapesGenerator (AWG) to perform High Voltage (HV) dielectric testing of different grid assets. HV AWG applications pose unique operatingconditions to the MMC, which influences the selection of the various system parameters. This influence of the MMC system parameters is studied analytically, with MATLAB-Simulink simulations and a down-scaled MMC prototype. It is found that the Phase-Shift Carrier (PSC) modulation technique proves to be a superior modulation technique over Nearest Level Control (NLC). The correct choice of arm inductance and series damping resistance improves the harmonic performance of the output voltage waveform. The fast switching SiC MOSFETs are well suited to generate complex waveforms with high bandwidth. The adapted control system with the proportional controller can accurately generate the different waveforms with Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) less than 5%. The circulating current in the MMC is negligible for the HV AWG application, which explains why the submodule capacitor voltages are balanced even when asymmetric complex wave shapes are generated from the MMC. Additionally, the submodule capacitor ripple expression is derived for this unique application, and it matches well with the simulation and experimental results. For this application, submodule capacitance in the μF range is sufficient to keep the ripple within 1% of its average value. Moreover, the challenges of realizing the full-scale MMC setup are discussed. The discussed design guidelines are applied to simulate the full-scale prototype with 67 submodules per arm.