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• Split DC link balancing problem is discussed. • Dynamics of partial DC link voltages is derived. • Factors forcing DC link imbalance are analyzed. • Expression for optimal modulating signals zero-sequence component is obtained. Three-phase three-level AC/DC and DC/AC converters have demonstrated several advantages over their classical two-level counterparts such as better efficiency, enhanced total harmonic distortion, lower dv/dt and lesser overall chip area. T-type and neutral point clamped (NPC) topologies dominate the family of three-phase three-level converters, widely used in 10kVA – 100kVA power range. However, control of three-level converters is more complicated than of their classical two-level counterparts due to necessity of adopting an additional voltage loop, aimed to balance partial split DC link voltages. Moreover, the latter contain multiples of triple-base-frequency harmonic ripple even under balanced AC-side operation (this does not happen in two-level converters), which should be minimized by the balancing loop mentioned above. The nature of partial DC link ripple formation was analyzed in-depth for unity power factor operation, yet hardly extended to non-unity power factor cases. Moreover, inaccurate conclusions were drawn in some of the related studies. Consequently, this paper focuses on comprehensive modeling and formulation of split DC link capacitors balancing problem in three-phase three-level bidirectional AC/DC converters operating with arbitrary power factor. Analytical expression for dynamics of partial DC link voltages difference is derived and studied in depth. The relation between zero-sequence component of modulation signals and neutral point current, tending to unbalance partial DC link voltages is explicitly established for arbitrary power factor values. Practical cases of restricted and unrestricted zero-sequence component of modulation signals are presented. Analytical predictions are shown to be fully supported by simulations based on both switching-cycle-averaged and full switched converter models. Experimental results obtained employing a 10kVA T-type converter prototype operating with restricted zero-sequence component of modulation signals under different power factor values are also given to further validate the presented methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews different types of capacitors and auxiliary source circuit topologies and presents an introduction to control strategies used for circuit applications reducing DC-BUS capacitance. The paper argues in favor of replacing bulky electrolytic capacitors in capacitor-supported power electronic systems with auxiliary source circuits. DC-BUS capacitors are widely used in grid-tied power converters (rectifiers) and utilized for power balance, voltage ripple limitation, and short-term energy storage. The electrolyte capacitor is the Achilles heel of any rectifier and power converter due to its higher rate of failure than other circuitry components. Auxiliary source circuits are key components to qualitatively improve the reliability of the DC links, where they divert the instantaneous pulsating power into extra reliable storage components. Unlike previous work, this review serves to provide a clear picture of an auxiliary source circuit design, in favor of optimal solution selection according to the specific application. Therefore, energy storage components (capacitors), topologies, and control strategies of auxiliary source circuits are comprehensively reviewed in this paper. Additionally, detailed explanations, comparisons, and discussions of auxiliary source circuits are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic Capacitor (EC) is formed by a bidirectional DC-DC converter terminated with small auxiliary capacitance. The device is capable of mimicking the behavior of a bulk DC link capacitor while actually employing a component with much lower capacitance value. The paper demonstrates that forcing an EC to emulate a negative capacitance while connecting it in series with a passive capacitor leads to DC-DC converter rating reduction and subsequent potential volume reduction and efficiency increase of a DC link. Such a device may replace a traditional bulk DC link capacitor present in power electronics supported distributed energy resources in a plug-and-play manner. Simulations and experiments of a common dual stage AC/DC power conversion system employing the proposed active DC link validate the methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on improving the control structure of electronic capacitor (EC), formed by a bidirectional dc–dc converter terminated with small auxiliary capacitance. Typical application of such a system is mimicking the dynamic behavior of a bulk dc-ink capacitor while actually employing a component with much lower capacitance value. It was previously revealed that EC may be treated as output-voltage regulated wide-input-range converter feeding a bidirectional power load. Dual-loop voltage-current linear cascaded regulator, typically employed for EC terminal voltage control, imposes slow unstable mode when absorbing power from the dc-link. This article demonstrates that performing a transformation from voltage–current to power-energy domain by feedback linearization-based nonlinear control simultaneously eliminates the unstable mode and increases control bandwidth. Revealed findings are well-supported by simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a modification of the Vienna rectifier (VR) to obtain more than three voltage levels at the DC line connection, while preserving the unity power factor at the AC grid side. The proposed unidirectional multilevel there-phase rectifier, called the “Negev rectifier”, has a reduced device count and utilizes a unique novel Time Division Multiplexed based control scheme, which makes the challenging N-level VR expansion possible. The Negev rectifier can serve as a grid interface for supplying dc voltage to multilevel inverters with 4 up to 7 voltage levels, eliminating the burden of inverter-side voltage balancing control. The Negev hardware can be constructed by two complementary topologies, making it suitable for either high current or high voltage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a new zero current switching topology for parallel balancing of serially connected batteries string. The main advantage of the balancing concept in this study is that energy is transferred only when the cells are unbalanced. As a result, the power losses are significantly reduced since no current circulates through the system when balanced. This has been enabled by a modification of an isolated series-resonant converter operating in a discontinuous conduction mode. A single transformer for two cells is used, as opposed to conventional isolated topologies that require a transformer per cell. The realization is simple and sensorless. Experimental results have been obtained by a prototype of two modules balancing four series-connected batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for controlling direct voltage regulated active dc-link capacitance reduction circuits (ACRC) is proposed in this paper. Instead of forcing the dc-link voltage of the power conversion system to follow a constant reference, the ACRC imposes dc-bus voltage in proportion to the integral of its input current. Consequently, it resembles an adjustable value capacitor from the dc-link side. Therefore, as opposed to existing control strategies, the proposed method simultaneously allows the dc-link voltage to reflect the power balance of the system and the pulsating power component to be diverted into significantly reduced auxiliary capacitance via a bidirectional dc–dc converter. As a result, replacing bulk dc-link capacitance by the proposed circuitry does not require any modification of existing grid-connected power conversion system controllers, thus allowing plug-and-play operation. The proposed approach is validated by application to a commercial power factor correction front end by both simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The letter reveals that for a given operating frequency, infinite amount of compensation capacitor pairs exists, yielding load independent voltage gain of a typical series-series compensated resonant inductive wireless power transfer link (WPTL). Closed-form analytical expression is derived, linking the values of compensating capacitors with the desired load independent voltage gain based on given coil inductances, coupling coefficient and operating frequency. Feasible range of achievable voltage gains is shown to be bounded by the value of coupling coefficient based on a novel 4-parameter generalized loosely coupled transformer model. Experimental results are given to validate the presented findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The letter reveals two additional basic compensation topologies for resonant inductive wireless power transfer links (supplementary to the existing four) created by placing both compensation capacitors either on primary or secondary side, leaving the opposite coil uncompensated. This produces parallel-series/none and none/series-parallel topologies, with the latter being more practical due to its suitability to operation with typically utilized voltage-source inverters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on control analysis and operational issues of a recently proposed direct voltage regulated active capacitance reduction circuit, consisting of a small auxiliary capacitance interfaced to dc link by bidirectional dc–dc converter. The aim of such a system is replacing the bulk dc bus capacitor without escalating the ripple. While the hardware of the system under study is similar to some of the proposed active capacitance reduction solutions, the control structure is quite different. The primary goal of the controller is direct regulation of dc-link voltage rather than dc-link current, performed by most of existing solutions, thus avoiding the use of invasive dc-link current measurement/s. It is revealed that such an active capacitance reduction circuitry may be perceived as output-voltage regulated wide-input-range converter feeding a bidirectional power load. Such an arrangement was neither mentioned nor analyzed in the literature by far, requiring nontrivial and challenging control design. A dual-loop voltage-current arrangement widely used in typical power supplies is proposed to control the active capacitance reduction circuitry. It is shown that the control structure is sufficient to yield satisfactory performance even though the system possesses a slow unstable mode when absorbing power from the dc link. The revealed findings are fully supported by simulations and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Voltage-type sources have dominated as an input source for power electronics converters for a long type. The existence of duality implies that there are also current-type sources. The growing application of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy has evidently shown that the current-type input sources exist in reality such as photovoltaic (PV) generator or the feedback technique used in controlling the power electronics converters in the renewable energy systems changes the power electronic converters to behaving as such. The recent research on renewable energy systems has indicated that the current-type input sources are very challenging input sources affecting the dynamics of the interfacing converters profoundly. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the effects of the PV generator on the dynamic behavior of the corresponding interfacing power electronic converters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a method for suppressing the low-frequency portion of dc-link ripple inevitably present in power conversion systems with reduced capacitance is proposed. The discussed active capacitance reduction circuitry (consisting of a feedback-controlled shunt-connected bidirectional buck-boost converter, terminated by a small auxiliary capacitance) directly regulates the dc-link voltage, utilizing a dual-loop control structure with parallel-connected multiresonant-bank-enhanced voltage loop stabilizing controller to achieve nearly constant, low-frequency-ripple-free steady-state dc-link voltage. Consequently, the proposed active capacitance reduction system may be perceived as a virtual infinite capacitor from the dc link point of view. The suggested circuitry is successfully applied to a single-phase commercial power factor correction front end in a nearly plug-and-play fashion. The control algorithm effectiveness is fully supported by simulations and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: A Fourier-based analysis of passive battery–ultracapacitor hybrid sources is introduced in the manuscript. The approach is first introduced for a general load, and then is followed by a study for a case of periodic pulsed current load. It is shown that the ultracapacitor branch is perceived by the battery as a low-pass filter, which absorbs the majority of the high frequency harmonic current and letting the battery to supply the average load demand in addition to the small part of dynamic current. Design requirements influence on the ultracapacitor capacitance and internal resistance choice are quantitatively discussed. The theory is enforced by simulation and experimental results, showing an excellent agreement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]