Design and validation of a multilevel voltage source inverter based on modular H-bridge cells

Area of Science:

• Power Electronics
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Efficient power conversion is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
• Existing systems must meet stringent technical standards for energy quality, such as IEEE 519-2022.
• Multilevel voltage source inverters (VSIs) offer a promising solution for high-quality power conversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze, design, and experimentally validate a modular and scalable multilevel VSI scheme.
• To develop a versatile experimental platform for testing various control strategies and converter configurations.
• To assess the performance of the VSI, focusing on harmonic distortion and signal accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Design of an H-bridge cell-based multilevel VSI with a modular and scalable structure.
• Development of measurement and conditioning circuits for voltage and current signals.
• Experimental validation using a versatile platform capable of testing 3, 5, and 7 levels, and single/three-phase configurations.
• Quantitative analysis of operational parameters, including total harmonic distortion (THD) and mean square error (MSE).

Main Results:

• Successful experimental validation of the designed multilevel VSI.
• Demonstration of a versatile platform for testing diverse power converter configurations and control strategies.
• Quantification of harmonic levels, showing compliance with power quality standards.
• Accurate measurement of voltage and current signals for control algorithm implementation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed modular and scalable H-bridge cell-based VSI is effective for renewable energy integration.
• The experimental platform provides a valuable tool for research and development in power electronics.
• The VSI design achieves high power quality, meeting technical standards for harmonic distortion.