Hardware Design and Development of Modular Multilevel Converter

Abstract

Modular multi-level converter (MMC) is a popular multi-level converter configuration due to its various features such as ease of scalability, modularity, and low voltage and current rating demand for the power switches. This paper presents the development and implementation of hardware prototype of MMC as a grid forming inverter. An MMC prototype is developed having three sub-modules in an arm, which can be configured as either half bridge-based sub-module or full bridge-based sub-module. Design of various circuits and sizing of various components are carried out for the MMC setup. All the hardware related design and control technique are discussed. Lastly, hardware results for operation of MMC as grid forming inverter are presented.