Three phase innovative multilevel inverter topologies for research and industrial applications: A review

Multilevel inverters have evolved and developed into a mature and successful technology as a result of its high power applications based electronic power conversion capabilities. The aim of this paper is to review various recently developed three phase multilevel inverter topologies with different configurations and control methodologies such that number of components employed is reduced and ultimately emerge as techno economical design. This paper strongly orients the reader towards recent advances made in the new topologies, their control strategies, modulation schemes including operational issues in order to provide a synergized and comprehensive review. The new promising topologies are analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively so that these serve as the ultimate solution for a particular commercial, industrial and research application e.g. reactive power compensation, wind energy conversion systems, HVDC transmission, hydro-pumped storage, railway traction, solar thermal energy conversion and many more. Finally, the emerging trends, future scope and challenges offered by the multilevel inverter technology are outlined in order to encourage further contributions and development in this field.