Experimental Validation of a Reduced-Scale Rail Power Conditioner Based on Modular Multilevel Converter for AC Railway Power Grids

Mohamed Tanta, Jose Cunha, Luis A. M. Barros, Vitor Monteiro, José Gabriel Oliveira Pinto, Antonio P. Martins and Joao L. Afonso
Additional contact information
Mohamed Tanta: School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Jose Cunha: School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Luis A. M. Barros: School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Vitor Monteiro: School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
José Gabriel Oliveira Pinto: School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Antonio P. Martins: Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Joao L. Afonso: School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-27

Abstract: Rail power conditioner (RPC) has the ability to improve the power quality in AC railway power grids. This power conditioner can increase the loading capacity of traction substations, balance the active power between the feeder load sections, and compensate for reactive power and current harmonics. At present, there is increasing use of multilevel converter topologies, which provide scalability and robust performance under different conditions. In this framework, modular multilevel converter (MMC) is emerging as a prominent solution for medium-voltage applications. Serving that purpose, this paper focuses on the implementation, testing, and validation of a reduced-scale laboratory prototype of a proposed RPC based on an MMC. The developed laboratory prototype, designed to be compact, reliable, and adaptable to multipurpose applications, is presented, highlighting the main control and power circuit boards of the MMC. In addition, MMC parameter design of the filter inductor and submodule capacitor is also explained. Experimental analysis and validation of a reduced-scale prototype RPC based on MMC topology, are provided to verify the power quality improvement in electrified railway power grids. Thus, two experimental case studies are presented: (1) when both of the load sections are unequally loaded; (2) when only one load section is loaded. Experimental results confirm the RPC based on MMC is effective in reducing the harmonic contents, solving the problem of three-phase current imbalance and compensating reactive power.

Keywords: electrified railway systems; modular multilevel converter; power quality; rail power conditioner (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: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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