Control Optimization of Modular Multilevel Resonant DC Converters for Wide-Input-Range MVdc to LVdc Applications

In this article, the output voltage control strategy of modular multilevel resonant dc converters (MMRDC) for medium-voltage wide-input-range applications is studied. First, the feasibility and influence of the switching frequency regulation and modulation index regulation are investigated in detail. It is found that the switching frequency choice has a significant effect on the voltage stress of arm inductors and the transformer. Then, based on these considerations, the modulation index regulation plus switching frequency regulation based design and control optimization is proposed. With the proposed design and control method, the switching frequency range for adapting to a wide input range is further reduced, especially under light load operating conditions. Besides, the high voltage stress on arm inductors is avoided and the high voltage dv/dt on the transformer is also eliminated. Finally, a laboratory prototype with 8–16 kV input and 375 V/60 kW output has been built and the experimental validation under a wide input range has been done. The efficiency over 96.4% under the wide input range proved the effectiveness of the optimized control methods.

I. Introduction

With the rapid development of renewable energy power generation, electrical rail transportation, and data centers in recent years, the medium-voltage dc (MVdc) power distribution systems have attracted much research interest in the academic and industrial world owing to their high efficiency, high power quality, and high stability [1]–[4]. In these MVdc applications, dc–dc converters, also called dc transformers, are the key roles to connect different voltage level dc grids or convert MVdc voltage to low-voltage dc (LVdc) voltage for power supply [5]–[7].