A Novel Hybrid Converter Proposed for Multi-MW Wind Generator for Offshore Applications

Abstract

Modern multi-MW wind generators have used multi-level converter structures as well as parallel configuration of a back to back three-level neutral point clamped (3L-NPC) converters to reduce the voltage and current stress on the semiconductor devices. These configurations of converters for offshore wind energy conversion applications results in high cost, low power density, and complex control circuitry. Moreover, a large number of power devices being used by former topologies results in an expensive and inefficient system. In this paper, a novel bi-directional three-phase hybrid converter that is based on a parallel combination of 3L-NPC and ‘n’ number of Vienna rectifiers have been proposed for multi-MW offshore wind generator applications. In this novel configuration, total power equally distributes by sharing of total reference current in each parallel-connected generator side power converter, which ensures the lower current stress on the semiconductor devices. Newly proposed topology has less number of power devices compared to the conventional configuration of parallel 3L-NPC converters, which results in cost-effective, compact in size, simple control circuitry, and good performance of the system. Three-phase electric grid is considered as a generator source for implementation of a proposed converter. The control scheme for a directly connected three-phase source with a novel configuration of a hybrid converter has been applied to ratify the equal power distribution in each parallel-connected module with good power factor and low current distortion. A parallel combination of a 3L-NPC and 3L-Vienna rectifier with a three-phase electric grid source has been simulated while using MATLAB and then implemented it on hardware. The simulation and experimental results ratify the performance and effectiveness of the proposed system.