Model Predictive Control of Grid-Tie Nested Neutral Point Clamped Inverter for Megawatt Power Conversion Systems

This study exhibits a simplied power control approach using model predictive control for a grid-connected Nested Neutral Point Clamped inverter. This methodology is applied to a megawatt power conversion systems. A discrete-time model is employed to predict the performance of the grid current and the flying capacitor voltages concerning the control switching states. The receding horizon optimization using an appropriate cost function to pursue the grid active power, reactive power transfer, and to balance the flying capacitor voltages. The best control state that has the minimum value of the objective function is selected and further implemented to the inverter gating signal. The performance and feasibility of the advanced control scheme are confirmed using a Matlab simulation environment for a 4 MW power conversion systems.