Benchmarking of Modular Multilevel Converter Topologies for ES-STATCOM Realization

Sanjay K. Chaudhary, Allan F. Cupertino, Remus Teodorescu and Jan R. Svensson
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Sanjay K. Chaudhary: Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Allan F. Cupertino: Department of Materials Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 30.421-169, Brazil
Remus Teodorescu: Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Jan R. Svensson: Power Grids Research, Hitachi ABB Power Grids, 72178 Västerås, Sweden

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: In recent years, the integration of the high-power static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and energy storage in the same device has gained interest. Such a system is referred to as ES-STATCOM. Modular multilevel converter (MMC) topologies constitute a promising converter family for ES-STATCOM realization, providing a modular and scalable solution with a high efficiency that handles high-power and high-voltage ratings in grid applications. There is a gap in technical literature discussing the design and the comparison of MMC-based ES-STATCOMs while utilizing batteries to find the most suitable MMC topology for ES-STATCOMs. Therefore, this paper benchmarks MMC family members for ES-STATCOM realization. Both centralized and distributed energy storage approaches are investigated. The proposed design flowcharts can be employed for comparison and optimization purposes. In total, seven topologies are compared in terms of number of cells, required silicon area and total battery volume. Different semiconductor devices and battery types are analyzed. The result indicates that centralized energy storage systems are the most suitable due to their design flexibility, low volume and small silicon area. Moreover, the possibility of using over-modulation in MMC using bridge cells has an important role in the optimization of ES-STATCOM. The results for the adopted case study shows that the decentralized approach can lead to 55% higher silicon area and 30% higher volume than the centralized approach. The double-star bridge cell MMC with centralized energy storage is determined as the most suitable solution for ES-STATCOM systems.

Keywords: battery energy storage system; static synchronous compensator; STATCOM; modular multilevel converter; MMC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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