Low-Switching-Frequency Operation of a Modular Multilevel DSCC Converter With Phase-Shifted Rotating-Carrier PWM

This paper provides a theoretical discussion on a new phase-shifted rotating-carrier (PSRC) pulsewidth modulation (PWM) method for a modular multilevel double-star chopper-cell (DSCC) converter. The new method enables the DSCC converter to operate at a low switching frequency in a range of 50 to 100 Hz where the ac grid or line frequency is 50 Hz. The phase shift of each carrier signal is rotated to enable capacitor–voltage balancing in such a low-carrier-frequency range while maintaining the same voltage in each arm as that of the original phase-shifted-carrier PWM. Theoretical analysis of harmonic-voltage spectrum at the arm side of a chopper cell is conducted on the basis of double-variable Fourier series. Then, the analytical results are compared to numerical ones. A three-phase grid-connected DSCC converter rated at 66 kV, 50 Hz, and 100 MW with 64 chopper cells per leg is used in circuit simulation to confirm the validity of the proposed PSRC-PWM method. The simulation results show that the PSRC-PWM can maintain stable operation of the DSCC converter even if the carrier frequency goes lower than 100 Hz. Several performance criteria conclude that the optimal carrier frequency is 75 Hz.