Comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source PV‐based modular multilevel converters

Abstract Recently, modular multilevel converters (MMCs) gained popularity for the grid integration of photovoltaic (PV), due to their many advantages, including low total harmonic distortion, high control flexibility, and distributed maximum power point (MPP) tracking capability. Two distinguished f...

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Main Authors: Marzio Barresi, Luigi Piegari, Riccardo Scalabrin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-12-01
Series:IET Renewable Power Generation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1049/rpg2.13099
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author Marzio Barresi
Luigi Piegari
Riccardo Scalabrin
author_facet Marzio Barresi
Luigi Piegari
Riccardo Scalabrin
author_sort Marzio Barresi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Recently, modular multilevel converters (MMCs) gained popularity for the grid integration of photovoltaic (PV), due to their many advantages, including low total harmonic distortion, high control flexibility, and distributed maximum power point (MPP) tracking capability. Two distinguished families of MMCs exist: voltage source and current source. Voltage source MMCs are mostly studied, but current source MMCs offer advantages under certain operating conditions. This article compares voltage and current source MMCs, for PV integration. To this aim, several key indicators are identified: number of components, energy stored in passive elements, semiconductor power rating, and the number of MPP trackers. The results of the analysis, performed in MATLAB©, show that for a fixed number of output voltage levels, power rating, and switching frequency, voltage source MMCs have simpler control and higher number of MPP trackers. In contrast, current source MMCs minimize the semiconductor power rating, the number of components and the energy stored in passive elements. Regarding efficiency, in the analyzed case study, voltage source MMCs perform better under both homogeneous and non‐homogenous irradiance conditions. This article provides a tool to select the optimal solution based on the required target (e.g. efficiency, energy storage etc.), given the specific characteristics of the application.
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language English
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spelling doaj-art-618c83984c9e4e20b8b0308e9d6ae22e2025-08-20T01:59:57ZengWileyIET Renewable Power Generation1752-14161752-14242024-12-0118S14360437610.1049/rpg2.13099Comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source PV‐based modular multilevel convertersMarzio Barresi0Luigi Piegari1Riccardo Scalabrin2Department of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering Politecnico di Milano Milan ItalyDepartment of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering Politecnico di Milano Milan ItalyDepartment of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering Politecnico di Milano Milan ItalyAbstract Recently, modular multilevel converters (MMCs) gained popularity for the grid integration of photovoltaic (PV), due to their many advantages, including low total harmonic distortion, high control flexibility, and distributed maximum power point (MPP) tracking capability. Two distinguished families of MMCs exist: voltage source and current source. Voltage source MMCs are mostly studied, but current source MMCs offer advantages under certain operating conditions. This article compares voltage and current source MMCs, for PV integration. To this aim, several key indicators are identified: number of components, energy stored in passive elements, semiconductor power rating, and the number of MPP trackers. The results of the analysis, performed in MATLAB©, show that for a fixed number of output voltage levels, power rating, and switching frequency, voltage source MMCs have simpler control and higher number of MPP trackers. In contrast, current source MMCs minimize the semiconductor power rating, the number of components and the energy stored in passive elements. Regarding efficiency, in the analyzed case study, voltage source MMCs perform better under both homogeneous and non‐homogenous irradiance conditions. This article provides a tool to select the optimal solution based on the required target (e.g. efficiency, energy storage etc.), given the specific characteristics of the application.https://doi.org/10.1049/rpg2.13099DC‐AC power convertorselectric power generationphotovoltaic power systemspower convertorsrenewable energy power conversion
spellingShingle Marzio Barresi
Luigi Piegari
Riccardo Scalabrin
Comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source PV‐based modular multilevel converters
IET Renewable Power Generation
DC‐AC power convertors
electric power generation
photovoltaic power systems
power convertors
renewable energy power conversion
title Comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source PV‐based modular multilevel converters
title_full Comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source PV‐based modular multilevel converters
title_fullStr Comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source PV‐based modular multilevel converters
title_full_unstemmed Comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source PV‐based modular multilevel converters
title_short Comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source PV‐based modular multilevel converters
title_sort comprehensive assessment of voltage and current source pv based modular multilevel converters
topic DC‐AC power convertors
electric power generation
photovoltaic power systems
power convertors
renewable energy power conversion
url https://doi.org/10.1049/rpg2.13099
work_keys_str_mv AT marziobarresi comprehensiveassessmentofvoltageandcurrentsourcepvbasedmodularmultilevelconverters
AT luigipiegari comprehensiveassessmentofvoltageandcurrentsourcepvbasedmodularmultilevelconverters
AT riccardoscalabrin comprehensiveassessmentofvoltageandcurrentsourcepvbasedmodularmultilevelconverters