Extended Order Generalised Integral Control based Circulating Current Mitigating Scheme in Modular Multilevel Converters—A Balancing Approach

Pradeep Kumar; P. R. Sharma; Poonam Singhal

doi:10.2478/pead-2025-0021

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Extended Order Generalised Integral Control based Circulating Current Mitigating Scheme in Modular Multilevel Converters—A Balancing Approach

Power Electronics and Drives

Volume 10 (2025): Issue 1 (January 2025)

By: Pradeep Kumar , P. R. Sharma and Poonam Singhal

Open Access

|Oct 2025

Abstract

In modular multilevel converters (MMCs), circulating currents consist of both DC and AC components. However, these currents are significantly affected by even harmonic distortions, which introduce ripples in the sub-module (SM) capacitor voltages. These ripples contribute to the circulating currents, increasing the voltage stress on the SM switches and adversely impacting overall system performance. This paper presents a systematic approach to mitigating circulating currents by employing an extended order generalised integrator (EOGI), which effectively removes even harmonic components from the converter’s legs. The proposed solution has been evaluated against existing methods and has been demonstrated to offer enhanced robustness in the face of parameter uncertainties and sudden load variations. The scheme was initially validated using MATLAB/Simulink, with further real-time performance verification conducted via OPAL-RT simulation and experiments, yielding promising results.

References

Allebrod, S., Hamerski, R. and Marquardt, R. (2008). New transformerless, scalable modular multilevel converters for HVDC-transmission. In: Proceedings IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference (PESC), June 2008. Rhodes, Greece, pp. 174–179.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ängquist, L., Antonopoulos, A., Siemaszko, D., Ilves, K., Vasiladiotis, M. and Nee, H. P. (2010). Inner control of modular multilevel converters – An approach using open-loop estimation of stored energy. In: Proceedings International Power Electronics Conference (IPEC), June 2010. Sapporo, Japan, pp. 1579–1585.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bahrani, B., Debnath, S. and Saeedifard, M. (2016). Circulating Current Suppression of the Modular Multilevel Converter in a Double-Frequency Rotating Reference Frame. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 31(1), pp. 783–792. doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2015.2405062
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bergna, G., Berne, E., Egrot, P., Lefranc, P., Arzande, A., Vannier, J. C. and Molinas, M. (2013). An Energy-Based Controller for HVDC Modular Multilevel Converter in Decoupled Double Synchronous Reference Frame for Voltage Oscillations Reduction. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 60(6), pp. 2360–2371. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2012.2225397
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Catzin-Contreras, G. A., Escobar, G., Valdez-Resendiz, J. E., Ibarra, L. and Valdez-Fernandez, A. A. (2023). An Energy Model-Based Controller for a Three-Phase Grid-Tied Modular Multilevel Converter. IEEE Access, 12, pp. 1130–1145. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3343390
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Catzin-Contreras, G. A., Valdez-Fernandez, A. A., Escobar, G. and Lopez-Sanchez, M. J. (2015). A model-based controller for a three-phase grid-connected modular multilevel converter. In: 2015 IEEE International Autumn Meeting on Power, Electronics and Computing (ROPEC), IEEE, November 2015. Ixtapa, Mexico, pp. 1–6.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dekka, A., Wu, B., Fuentes, R. L., Perez, M. and Zargari, N. R. (2017). Evolution of Topologies, Modeling, Control Schemes, and Applications of Modular Multilevel Converters. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 99, pp. 1–1. doi: 10.1109/JESTPE.2017.2742938
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Etxeberria-Otadui, I., Lopez-de-Heredia, A., San-Sebastian, J., Gaztanaga, H., Viscarret, U. and Caballero, M. (2008). Analysis of a H-NPC topology for an AC traction front-end converter. In: Proceedings 13th Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference (EPE-PEMC), September 2008. Poznan, Poland, pp. 1555–1561.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hagiwara, M., Maeda, R. and Akagi, H. (2012). Negative Sequence Reactive-Power Control by a PWM STATCOM Based on a Modular Multilevel Cascade Converter (MMCC-SDBC). IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 48(2), pp. 720–729. doi: 10.1109/TIA.2011.2182330
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hagiwara, M., Nishimura, K. and Akagi, H. (2010). A Medium-Voltage Motor Drive with a Modular Multilevel PWM Inverter. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 25(7), pp. 1786–1799. doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2010.2042303
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hans, F., Borowski, P., Wendt, J., Quistorf, G. and Jersch, T. (2024). Opportunities and Challenges of Advanced Testing Approaches for Multi-Megawatt Wind Turbines. IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics, 5, pp. 323–335. doi: 10.1109/OJPEL.2024.3364973
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Harnefors, L., Antonopoulos, A., Norrga, S., Ängquist, L. and Nee, H. P. (2013). Dynamic Analysis of Modular Multilevel Converters. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 60(7), pp. 2526–2537. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2012.2194974
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
He, L., Zhang, K., Xiong, J. and Fan, S. (2015). A Repetitive Control Scheme for Harmonic Suppression of Circulating Current in Modular Multilevel Converters. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 30(1), pp. 471–481. doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2014.2304978
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ilves, K., Antonopoulos, A., Harnefors, L., Norrga, S. and Nee, H.-P. (2012a). Circulating current control in modular multilevel converters with fundamental switching frequency. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference (IPEMC) Vol. 1, June 2012, pp. 249–256.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ilves, K., Antonopoulos, A., Norrga, S. and Nee, H. P. (2012b). Steady-State Analysis of Interaction between Harmonic Components of Arm and Line Quantities of Modular Multilevel Converters. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 27(1). Harbin, China, pp. 57–68. doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2011.2159809
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kouro, S., Rodriguez, J., Wu, B., Bernet, S. and Perez, M. (2012). Powering the Future of Industry: High-Power Adjustable Speed Drive Topologies. IEEE Industry Applications Magazine, 18(4), pp. 26–39. doi: 10.1109/MIAS.2012.2192231
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Liu, H., Ma, K., Wang, C. and Blaabjerg, F. (2016). Fault Diagnosis and Fault-Tolerant Control of Modular Multi-Level Converter High-Voltage DC System: A Review. Electric Power Components and Systems, 44(16), pp. 1759–1785. doi: 10.1080/15325008.2016.1198439
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Li, Y. and Wang, F. (2013). Arm inductance selection principle for modular multilevel converters with circulating current suppressing control. In: Proceedings 28th Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC), March 2013. Long Beach, CA, USA, pp. 1321–1325.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Li, Z., Wang, P., Chu, Z., Zhu, H., Luo, Y. and Li, Y. (2013). An Inner Current Suppressing Method for Modular Multilevel Converters. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 28(11), pp. 4873–4879. doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2013.2242204
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Marquardt, R. (2001). “Stromrichterschaltungen mit verteilten energiespeichern,” German Patent DE 201 22 923 U1, 2001.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mohammadi, H. P. and Bina, M. T. (2011). A Transformerless Medium-Voltage STATCOM Topology Based on Extended Modular Multilevel Converters. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 26(5), pp. 1534–1545. doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2010.2085088
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rodriguez, J., Franquelo, L. G., Kouro, S., Leon, J. I., Portillo, R. C. and Prats, M. ÁM. (2009). Multilevel Converters: An Enabling Technology for High-Power Applications. Proceedings of the IEEE, 97(11), pp. 1786–1817. doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2009.2030235
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rodriguez, J., Hammond, P. W., Pontt, J., Musalem, R., Lezana, P. and Escobar, M. J. (2005). Operation of a Medium Voltage Drive Under Faulty Conditions. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 52(4), pp. 1080–1085. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2005.851645
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Satya Narayana, T. and Dahiya, R. (2021). DC Link Voltage Compensation with Fuzzy-Based MMC to Mitigate the Low-Order Circulating Current. International Journal of Ambient Energy, 43(1), pp. 4289–4298. doi: 10.1080/01430750.2021.1876761
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
She, X. and Huang, A. (2012). Circulating current control of double-star chopper-cell modular multilevel converter for HVDC system. In: Proceedings 38th Annual Conference on IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IECON), October 2012. Montreal, QC, Canada, pp. 1234–1239.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
She, X., Huang, A., Ni, X. and Burgos, R. (2012). AC circulating currents suppression in modular multilevel converter. In: Proceedings 38th Annual Conference on IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IECON), October 2012. Montreal, QC, Canada, pp. 191–196.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sobanski, P., Miskiewicz, M., Bujak, G., Szlosek, M., Oikonomou, N. and Pietilaeinen, K. (2021). Real Time Simulation of Power Electronics Medium Voltage DC-Grid Simulator. Energies, 14(21), p. 7368. doi: 10.3390/en14217368
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sreedhar, M., Dasgupta, A. and Mishra, S. (2014). New Harmonic Mitigation Scheme for Modular Multilevel Converter – An Experimental Approach. IET Power Electronics, 7, pp. 3090–3100. doi: 10.1049/iet-pel.2014.0028
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tu, Q., Xu, Z. and Xu, L. (2011). Reduced Switching-Frequency Modulation and Circulating Current Suppression for Modular Multilevel Converters. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 26(3), pp. 2009–2017. doi: 10.1109/TPWRD.2011.2115258
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Valdez-Fernandez, A. A., Escobar, G., Campos-Delgado, D. U. and Hernandez-Ruiz, M. E. (2023). Model-Based Control Strategy for the Three-Phase n-Level CHB Multilevel Converter. International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 147, p. 108883. doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2022.108883
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhang, M., Huang, L., Yao, W. and Lu, Z. (2014). Circulating Harmonic Current Elimination of a CPS-PWM-Based Modular Multilevel Converter with a Plug-In Repetitive Controller. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 29(4), pp. 2083–2097. doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2013.2269140
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pead-2025-0021 | Journal eISSN: 2543-4292 | Journal ISSN: 2451-0262

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 325 - 341

Submitted on: Jan 16, 2025

Accepted on: Sep 5, 2025

Published on: Oct 31, 2025

Published by: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

modular multilevel converter,

circulating current control,

rotating reference frame,

PI control

Related subjects:

Computer sciences,

Artificial intelligence,

Engineering,

Electrical engineering,

Electronics

© 2025 Pradeep Kumar, P. R. Sharma, Poonam Singhal, published by Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 10 (2025): Issue 1 (January 2025)