Modular multilevel converter for enhanced offshore windfarm integration to medium voltage DC microgrid

• Application of an enhanced MMC to integrate wind energy to MVDC microgrid. • Improves DC voltage quality and reduces switching losses. • Faster short circuit fault clearing and better submodule capacitor voltage balance. • ESS integration supports grid stability and efficient energy management. • System supports industrial-scale heavy duty Electric Vehicle charging. The quality of power converters is crucial in integrating renewable energy sources into DC microgrids, as it ensures efficient energy transfer, voltage stability, and overall system reliability, making it a key focus of current research. This paper presents an application of enhanced Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) proposed by the authors for integrating a Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) into a Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) microgrid. The system architecture involves a wind farm model connected to an MVDC grid via the MMC, with an Energy Storage System (ESS) integrated to support grid stability and manage energy flow. The key application of this configuration is to supply power to heavy-duty electric vehicles, such as electric trucks, making the system well-suited for industrial-scale electrification. The entire setup is simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK to analyse its performance. The simulation results show several key improvements compared to MMC with conventional sorting algorithm. These include enhanced output DC voltage quality, faster short circuit fault clearing, better voltage balance across submodule capacitors, less Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and reduced switching losses in the converter. These improvements make the proposed system highly efficient and reliable for modern renewable energy integration into MVDC microgrids, supporting the transition towards electric heavy vehicles while maintaining grid stability and efficiency.

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Publication Details

Journal
e-Prime - Advances in Electrical Engineering Electronics and Energy
Published
2025-03-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prime.2025.100951
Citations
2
Primary Topic
HVDC Systems and Fault Protection
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.46
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article

Modular multilevel converter for enhanced offshore windfarm integration to medium voltage DC microgrid

Mariamma Chacko, Lekshmi Babu
2 citations
e-Prime - Advances in Electrical Engineering Electronics and Energy
HVDC Systems and Fault Protection
1.46
article

Modular multilevel converter for enhanced offshore windfarm integration to medium voltage DC microgrid

Mariamma Chacko, Lekshmi Babu
article en
2 citations

Abstract

• Application of an enhanced MMC to integrate wind energy to MVDC microgrid. • Improves DC voltage quality and reduces switching losses. • Faster short circuit fault clearing and better submodule capacitor voltage balance. • ESS integration supports grid stability and efficient energy management. • System supports industrial-scale heavy duty Electric Vehicle charging. The quality of power converters is crucial in integrating renewable energy sources into DC microgrids, as it ensures efficient energy transfer, voltage stability, and overall system reliability, making it a key focus of current research. This paper presents an application of enhanced Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) proposed by the authors for integrating a Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) into a Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) microgrid. The system architecture involves a wind farm model connected to an MVDC grid via the MMC, with an Energy Storage System (ESS) integrated to support grid stability and manage energy flow. The key application of this configuration is to supply power to heavy-duty electric vehicles, such as electric trucks, making the system well-suited for industrial-scale electrification. The entire setup is simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK to analyse its performance. The simulation results show several key improvements compared to MMC with conventional sorting algorithm. These include enhanced output DC voltage quality, faster short circuit fault clearing, better voltage balance across submodule capacitors, less Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and reduced switching losses in the converter. These improvements make the proposed system highly efficient and reliable for modern renewable energy integration into MVDC microgrids, supporting the transition towards electric heavy vehicles while maintaining grid stability and efficiency.

e-Prime - Advances in Electrical Engineering Electronics and EnergyVol. 11
Cochin University of Science and Technology (IN)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
HVDC Systems and Fault Protection
1.46
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