48-Pulse Voltage-Source Converter Based on Three-Level Neutral Point Clamp Converters for Solar Photovoltaic Plant

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Abstract
The demand for high-power converters for use in large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants increases as the plant size continues to grow. The multipulse voltage-source converter (VSC) configurations are the viable option for high-power solar PV converter applications because they improve conversion efficiency due to low switching losses and allow direct integration with a medium-voltage (MV) grid. In this article, a 48-pulse VSC based on the fundamental frequency switching (FFS) three-level neutral point clamp (NPC) converter with a start–delta transformer configuration is used for large-scale solar PV plant application. It is also used as a PV-static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) to provide the required reactive power support to the grid to regulate the voltage. The solar PV plant configuration for a 100-MW capacity is modeled in MATLAB and implemented in the real-time OPAL-RT platform to verify its design and controls. The harmonics, static, and dynamic performances are demonstrated in detail.
Funding Information
  • Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, through the SERB NSC Fellowship (UKICERI: RP03391, UI-ASSIST: RP03443)
  • Clean Energy DST (RP03357)
  • (to strengthen the research facilities in the Department of Electrical Engineering) through the FIST Scheme

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