Arm-current-based Model Predictive Control for Modular Multilevel Converters with a New Current Reference Generation Method

In this work, we propose a new reference calculation algorithm for arm-current-based modular multilevel converter (MMC) controllers. Direct arm-current control has been investigated as an alternative to decoupled current control techniques, in which the grid current and circulating currents are controlled separately. In opposite to the existing solutions, the proposed reference generation method does not rely on any PI-control loop, enabling a fast dynamic response without overshoot and oscillation. A set of control improvements is also proposed for the existing arm-current-based model predictive control (MPC) approaches. As will be shown in this paper, the proposed control improvements enable maximizing the overall system performance. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of each proposed novelty.