Evaluation of cascaded MPC performance in voltage source converters

Abstract

Model predictive control method becomes more popular in research over the last decade. Due to the growing popularity of the model predictive control concept, there are more and more questions about the effectiveness of this method in comparison with other methods. In this thesis cascaded model predictive control of grid connected voltage source converter with LCL filter has been evaluated. The relevant topics and literature regarding the existing control methods, applying requirements to a converter and different transistor technologies have been studied and reviewed. Three criteria of performance have been selected to compare the MPC method with conventional voltage oriented control method: total and individual harmonic distortion, power factor and power losses. The models have been simulated at rated initial values according to EU standards. The results of simulations have been compared. Existing transistor technologies which can be used in the control models have been investigated. Losses of the converter (without losses in the LCL filter) due to the use of each type of transistors have been calculated for each model.