The Hybrid-Legs Bridge Converter: A Flexible and Compact VSC-HVDC Topology

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is the most preferred choice for high-voltage direct current (HVdc) applications. In this article, a new hybrid-legs bridge converter (HLBC) is presented as an alternative to the MMC. This converter is a hybrid of a two-level converter and an MMC. For a three-phase system, three single-phase HLBCs are connected either in series [series-connected HLBC (SHLBC)] or in parallel [parallel-connected HLBC (PHLBC)] across the dc-link. Compared to the MMC and the series-connected MMC, the SHLBC requires only one-third and half the submodules (SMs), respectively. Besides, the SHLBC eliminates the requirement of any arm inductor or dc-side filter. The structure and operating principle of the HLBC are described. Moreover, the minimum SM capacitance required to limit its voltage fluctuation is calculated. The dc fault-tolerant capability of the SHLBC and PHLBC is achieved by replacing some of the unipolar SMs with bipolar SMs. The operation, applicability for HVdc systems, ac fault ride through and dc fault-tolerant capability of the proposed converter are verified using PSCAD simulations. Furthermore, the feasibility of the proposed converter under normal and dc fault conditions is revalidated experimentally by using a three-phase grid-connected HLBC laboratory prototype. A comparative analysis is carried out to highlight the benefits of the proposed HLBC over the existing converter topologies.