On the Partitioning of MMC Control Systems Using Graph Theory

IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics, vol. 3, pp. 611–620

Abstract

Control systems of modular multilevel converters can be partitioned into several levels. Such partitioning is becoming relevant in multi-vendor high-voltage direct-current systems where one party may deliver the converter hardware and associated control, whereas another party may deliver the system-related control. However, the exact control system partitioning has not been subject to research. This paper presents a method for partitioning control systems into two levels with minimum dependencies between the two levels. Furthermore, the impact of specific control designs on the partitioning and integration effort is discussed using an example. The presented method is useful for the design of multi-vendor control systems for modular multilevel converters whose partitioning otherwise would be based on engineering intuition.

Authors 6

1. Ilka Jahn Aachen Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Geraint P. Chaffey

   KU Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   EnergyVille/Electa Research Group, Electrical Engineering Department ESAT, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium

3. Eduardo Prieto‐Araujo

   Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

   Affiliation as printed

   CITCEA-UPC, Barcelona, Spain

4. Melanie Hoffmann

   Technische Universität Braunschweig

   Affiliation as printed

   Elenia Institute for High Voltage Technology and Power Systems, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Brunswick, Germany

5. Rodrigo Álvarez

   Siemens Energy

   Affiliation as printed

   Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG, Erlangen, Germany

6. Antonello Monti Aachen Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems

   Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

   Fraunhofer FIT, Aachen, Germany