Reduced Switching-Frequency Modulation Design for Model Predictive Control Based Modular Multilevel Converters

This paper proposes a novel switching algorithm for modular multilevel converters (MMCs) that significantly reduces the switching frequency while fulfilling all control objectives required for their proper operation. Unlike in the conventional capacitor voltage-balancing strategies, in addition to submodule (SM) capacitor voltages, the proposed algorithm considers previous switching statuses during sorting. The algorithm is applied to a seven-level back-to-back MMC-HVDC system and tested under various operating conditions. Significant reduction in the switching frequency with trivial impacts on submodule capacitor voltages are observed.