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Differential and common-mode model-based controller for a grid-tied three-phase NPC converter

Differential and common-mode model-based controller for a grid-tied three-phase NPC converter
Differential and common-mode model-based controller for a grid-tied three-phase NPC converter

This paper introduces a controller designed for transformerless inverters connected to the grid via an inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) output filter. The controller incorporates a virtual ground (VG) connection, providing a straightforward solution to mitigate common-mode current (CMC), i.e., to reduce the leakage ground current issue. Specifically, the focus is on a three-level, three-phase NPC inverter with split DC-link capacitors. The VG is established by connecting the star point of the LCL filter capacitors to the midpoint of the DC-link. This topology presents specific challenges, including voltage imbalances in the DC-link capacitors and resonances in the homopolar components of the signals within the LCL filter. The proposed controller not only addresses the goal of current injection but also ensures, on average, the balance of DC-link capacitor voltages (or equivalently, the regulation of the neutral point). Additionally, it provides the necessary damping for the homopolar components of the LCL filter signals. The performance of the proposed control scheme has been experimentally tested in a 2 kW three-phase NPC inverter prototype.

control nonlinearities, dc-ac power convertors, leakage currents, Photovoltaic power systems
2169-3536
68481-68491
Escobar, Gerardo
9d5b1954-920f-46b6-83a3-fc61eed024f2
Lopez-Sarabia, Jorge L.
e865c884-4d25-4c2e-8805-c25a3bf50450
Valdez-Fernandez, Andres A.
92b5d241-e997-4c07-b600-11720b179757
Silva-Vera, Edgar D.
2c16a86a-33d3-4236-adc0-6e465d07a4a8
Valdez-Resendiz, Jesus E.
e54b37af-f112-4b86-b953-1b84b4675ecc
Mayo-Maldonado, Jonathan C.
c7321b60-3130-43f4-89f4-f12ac5b2f822
Escobar, Gerardo
9d5b1954-920f-46b6-83a3-fc61eed024f2
Lopez-Sarabia, Jorge L.
e865c884-4d25-4c2e-8805-c25a3bf50450
Valdez-Fernandez, Andres A.
92b5d241-e997-4c07-b600-11720b179757
Silva-Vera, Edgar D.
2c16a86a-33d3-4236-adc0-6e465d07a4a8
Valdez-Resendiz, Jesus E.
e54b37af-f112-4b86-b953-1b84b4675ecc
Mayo-Maldonado, Jonathan C.
c7321b60-3130-43f4-89f4-f12ac5b2f822

Escobar, Gerardo, Lopez-Sarabia, Jorge L., Valdez-Fernandez, Andres A., Silva-Vera, Edgar D., Valdez-Resendiz, Jesus E. and Mayo-Maldonado, Jonathan C. (2025) Differential and common-mode model-based controller for a grid-tied three-phase NPC converter. IEEE Access, 13, 68481-68491. (doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3561458).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This paper introduces a controller designed for transformerless inverters connected to the grid via an inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) output filter. The controller incorporates a virtual ground (VG) connection, providing a straightforward solution to mitigate common-mode current (CMC), i.e., to reduce the leakage ground current issue. Specifically, the focus is on a three-level, three-phase NPC inverter with split DC-link capacitors. The VG is established by connecting the star point of the LCL filter capacitors to the midpoint of the DC-link. This topology presents specific challenges, including voltage imbalances in the DC-link capacitors and resonances in the homopolar components of the signals within the LCL filter. The proposed controller not only addresses the goal of current injection but also ensures, on average, the balance of DC-link capacitor voltages (or equivalently, the regulation of the neutral point). Additionally, it provides the necessary damping for the homopolar components of the LCL filter signals. The performance of the proposed control scheme has been experimentally tested in a 2 kW three-phase NPC inverter prototype.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 7 April 2025
Published date: 16 April 2025
Additional Information: Publisher Copyright: © 2013 IEEE.
Keywords: control nonlinearities, dc-ac power convertors, leakage currents, Photovoltaic power systems

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 503575
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/503575
ISSN: 2169-3536
PURE UUID: a4071014-fc43-4d98-b95d-b5a902ecdfb6
ORCID for Jonathan C. Mayo-Maldonado: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-2513-2395

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Date deposited: 05 Aug 2025 16:52
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 02:47

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Contributors

Author: Gerardo Escobar
Author: Jorge L. Lopez-Sarabia
Author: Andres A. Valdez-Fernandez
Author: Edgar D. Silva-Vera
Author: Jesus E. Valdez-Resendiz
Author: Jonathan C. Mayo-Maldonado ORCID iD

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