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The objective of this paper is to illustrate an alternative control algorithm for power converters which have the task of introducing the energy generated by systems based on the use of renewable sources such as, photovoltaic or wind power, in to small-sized networks, microgrids. Virtual Synchronous Generator can operate both in parallel to the main network as well as in isolated and autonomous conditions (islanding-mode). The contribute of this work is to drive a consolidate approach, made in time domain, in a more flexible and less time-consuming approach based on Park transformation.

To avoid leg short-circuit in inverters, dead time must be introduced on leg gate signals. Dead time affects the inverter output voltage fundamental harmonic amplitude, voltage harmonic distortion and inverter efficiency by introducing additional voltage drops. In this regard, dead time effects have been widely investigated for traditional two-level three-phase voltage source inverters in the literature but not extensively for multilevel topology structures. This paper provides a detailed analysis of dead time impact on the harmonic distortion and efficiency of Cascaded H-Bridges Multilevel Inverters (CHBMIs). For this purpose, a general mathematical formulation to determine voltage drop due to dead time effects, also taking into account the adopted Multicarrier PWM strategy, has been provided and experimentally validated for a five-level three-phase CHBMI structure. As a comparison tool between expected and ideal inverter output voltage, the percentage voltage error e% is introduced. In most of the cases, e% is lower than 5%, and it starts increasing for very low amplitude modulation index or for specific working points where nonlinearities occur. Furthermore, several experimental investigations have been carried out to evaluate the CHBMI performance in terms of harmonic distortion and efficiency by changing, the values of dead time, modulation index and switching frequency for ten different multi-carried PWM strategies. Experimental results confirm the strong dependency between the dead time impact on the converter performance and the adopted Multi Carrier-PWM (MC-PWM) strategy: as a way of example, converter efficiency can be reduced from 80% to 60% when dead time is increased from 0.5 μs to 1.5 μs and Phase Shifted-PWM (PS-PWM) is adopted.

In this paper, a Dynamic Resonant Inductive Power Transfer (DRIPT) System for the Electric Vehicle (EV) battery charging is proposed. In particular, the aim of the work is the general design of the whole system and its validation, with particular attention to the power electronic converters and their control. For the transmitter side, a DC/AC converter is used. It is controlled through the phase-shift technique and supervised by a Zero Phase Angle detection algorithm to ensure the maximum power transfer. For the receiver side, a double conversion stage, consisting of a diode rectifier and a controlled buck converter, is provided. The system is then simulated to verify its proper design.

In this paper, a software-based resolver to digital converter (RDC) is proposed. The hardware signal conditioning circuit is realized using common electronic components, while the algorithm can be implemented either using a microcontroller or an FPGA. Its validation and performance analysis has been carried out using an interior permanent magnet synchronous machine drive and, with comparative purposes, an LTN Servotechnik 1024 ppr incremental encoder. Tests show that the proposed RDC is characterized by a good dynamic response and precision, moreover, due to low computational demand, it can be successfully adopted without significant extra cost.

In this paper, management and control problem of hybrid energy storage system (HESS) has been solved by master-slave control strategy. Heuristic fuzzy rules based algorithm is developed for optimal power sharing between different power sources. The master control is followed by a slave level controller, designed by using terminal synergetic control method for tracking. Moreover, the stability analysis of closed-loop system has been carried out by using lyapunov theory. Finally, the proposed method has been tested in MATLAB/Simulink environment under Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

The international standard IEC 61800-9-2 introduces energy efficiency classification for frequency converters or complete drive module (CDM) and provides instrumentation minimum requirements for accurate measurement of CDM input and output power valid for conventional pulse-width-modulated (PWM) voltage source inverter (VSI). This paper highlights the necessary improvements to update the standard with more detailed prescriptions according to the converter topologies and the modulation techniques adopted. In this framework, this paper address the power analysis in the frequency domain of a cascaded H-bridges-multilevel inverter (CHBMI) in an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drive for the identification of the minimum measurement bandwidth. The power spectrums are analyzed for different modulation strategies, different switching frequency values and IPMSM working conditions.

The increasing penetration of Renewable Energy (RE) into the electrical market is desirable in terms of sustainability. Nevertheless, it is a challenge that all the interested actors shall address from both the technical and economical points of view. This paper provides an overview of the main challenges and solutions towards the technological transition to an electrical system with 100% renewable energy sources in terms of innovations and operative limits of the traditional systems. These innovative paradigms will also address the social impact and government policies.

In the scenario of a more and more sustainable society, an increasing electrification in different fields, such as mobility and industrial applications, is foreseen in the next decades. As far as power electronics is concerned, a challenging perspective is represented by achieving higher and higher switching frequencies while maintaining high voltage and low power losses. To do that, emerging semiconductor technologies are supposed to be increasingly employed, as well as innovative topologies of connections among switching devices. Among them, the cascode configuration can notably contribute to achieve high levels of dV/dt without losing efficiency. In this paper, a 3-phase Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) inverter based on a cascode connection for each of its six switches is proposed and some promising experimental results are provided. SiC technology has been used for each power device, while a normally-off/normally-on combination of switching devices has been selected to implement the cascode-based switch.

Electrical drives fed by Multilevel Inverters (MIs) are of considerable interest for traction and e-mobility applications. In detail, Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter (CHBMI) is a promising solution for electrical drive optimization purposes in terms of efficiency, safety, integration and flexible use of energy sources. The aim of this paper is the experimental implementation of the field-oriented control strategy of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (IPMSM) fed by CHBMI by use of NI-SOM sbrRIO-9651 FPGA controller. This FPGA controller can be programmable in the LabVIEW programming environment with the consequent benefits of graphical programming. The paper address the acquisition of mechanical and electrical quantities necessary for closed-loop control, such as speed, position and currents, the development of their condition circuits, the control software implementation and the experimental validation. © 2022 IEEE.

This paper presents a simple, practical and low-cost implementation of a power losses minimization algorithm for three-phase induction motors taking also into account both iron core losses and magnetic saturation. The algorithm evaluates, in real-time, the optimal direct axis magnetizing flux component for efficiency enhancement of the drive. A further advantage of the proposed technique is represented by a flexible and low-cost implementation by means of an ATMEL ATSAM3X8E microcontroller. The power loss minimization algorithm is tested preliminarily by means of several simulations, then, experimentally validated by applying the proposed control strategy on a 5.5 kW Field Oriented Control (FOC) induction motor drive. Significant results in terms of efficiency enhancement are presented and discussed, demonstrating that the proposed online control can significantly decrease the power losses of the drive.

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the use of a novel Harmonic Mitigation algorithm for Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter in electrical drives for the transportation field. For this purpose, an enhanced mathematical model of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM), that takes into account simultaneously saturation, cross-coupling, spatial harmonics, and iron loss effects, has been used. In detail, this model allows estimating accurately the efficiency and the torque ripple of the IPMSM, crucial parameters for transportation applications. Moreover, two traditional pulse width modulation strategies, Sinusoidal Phase-Shifted and Switching Frequency Optimal Phase-Shifted have been considered for comparison purposes with an optimized harmonic mitigation algorithm. Thus, this work provides a deep analysis of IPMSM drive performance fed by CHBMI, paying attention to various aspects such as the IPMSM efficiency, torque ripple, current, and voltage total harmonic distortion (THD). Finally, experimental investigations have been carried out to validate the analysis conducted.

The current climatic scenario requires the use of innovative solutions to increase the production of electricity from renewable energy sources. Multilevel Power Inverters are a promising solution to improve the penetration of renewable energy sources into the electrical grid. Moreover, the performance of MPIs is a function of the modulation strategy employed and of its features (modulation index and switching frequency). This paper presents an extended and experimental analysis of three-phase five-level Cascaded H-Bridges Multilevel Inverter performance in terms of efficiency and harmonic content considering several MC PWM modulation strategies. In detail, the CHBMI performance is analyzed by varying the modulation index and the switching frequency. For control purposes, the NI System On Module sbRIO-9651 control board, a dedicated FPGA-based control board for power electronics and drive applications programmable in the LabVIEW environment, is used. The paper describes the modulation strategies implementation, the test bench set-up, and the experimental investigations carried out. The results obtained in terms of Total Harmonic Distorsion (THD) and efficiency are analyzed, compared, and discussed.

In the energy storage field, supercapacitors (SCs) are gaining more and more attention thanks to features such as high-power density, high life cycles and lack of maintenance. In this article, an improved SC three-branches model which considers the residual charge phenomenon is presented. The procedure to estimate the model parameters and the related experimental set-up are presented. The parameter estimation procedure is repeated for several SCs of the same type. The average parameters are then obtained and used as initial guesses for a recursive least square optimization algorithm, to increase the accuracy of the model. The model of a single SC is then extended to SC banks, testing different configurations and operating conditions. The simulation results, obtained in Matlab/Simulink environment for both the single SC and the different SC bank configurations, are validated with experimental tests to assess the model accuracy.

The CHBMI performance optimization can be reached both with hardware and software solutions. Generally, asymmetrical configurations allow the extension of the voltage levels number and the implementation of an innovative modulation strategy allows for improving the performance in terms of harmonic distortion and conversion efficiency. This work is devoted to the development of a modulation strategy that allows improving the performance of an asymmetrical single-phase five-level Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter generating a 7-level voltage waveform. Thus, a digital approach and corresponding digital functions are presented. Subsequently, the impact of the dead time and the influence on the voltage harmonic distortion have been discussed. Through simulation analysis, in the Matlab environment, the main benefits and drawbacks of the proposed approach have been discussed.

Cascaded H-Bridges Multilevel Inverter (CHBMI) is a fascinating solution for optimization purposes in several application fields. The CHBMI performance optimization can be reached both with hardware and software solutions. In detail, the CHBMI performances are a function of the modulation strategy adopted and its parameters such as modulation index, switching frequency, and dead time. This paper presents performance experimental analysis on dead time effects on CHBMI performance in terms of harmonic distortion and conversion efficiency. In this analysis, two different modulation strategies have been considered and implemented. The paper focuses on modulation strategies implemented, the test bench set-up, experimental investigations, and the results comparative analysis.

In this paper multilevel cascaded H-bridges (CHB) three phase inverters with 2n dc sources, n=1,2,3,... are considered and a mathematical formulation providing both 2n switching angles and dc voltage source to eliminate n+1 harmonics and their respective multiple from their output voltage waveform, is proposed. The computed angles don't depend on modulation index and the source voltages linearly vary with it. The proposed procedure finds the solution through an analytical formula that avoids to solve transcendental systems and presents very low computational cost. A lot of low order harmonics are eliminated, returning a very low total harmonic distortion (THD). Particularly for 9-level configuration, the first not mitigated harmonic is the 17th and the percentage THD is 5.59%.

High speed electrical drives and machines represent a promising solution to cope with the increasing electrification in several fields, e.g. industrial electronics and mobility. According to that, power electronics is going more and more towards innovative technologies of semiconductor devices, such as Gallium-Nitride (GaN) and Silicon-Carbide (SiC), providing the opportunity of faster switching transients and therefore of higher switching frequencies. A challenging perspective is represented by gaining higher and higher switching frequencies while keeping high voltage and low power losses. In this scenario, the Cascode (CC) configuration can represent a reliable solution in order to reach notable levels of dV/dt without losing efficiency. In this paper, a three-phase Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) inverter based on a CC connection for each of its six switches is proposed and some promising experimental results are provided. SiC technology has been used for each power MOSFET.