Three-Phase Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) for Low-voltage Applications: Improved Modulation Technique Toward Less Capacitance Requirement

Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) has become one of the promising topologies in medium and high power applications. Modularity, scalability, and reliability are the main features that give the MMC some advantages over other multilevel topologies when considering high number of levels. This paper presents an alternative modulation technique for a modified modular multilevel converter (M-MMC) topology for low-voltage applications. By using level-shifted carrier (LSC) modulation and the proposed sorting algorithm, the capacitance requirement for this topology can be reduced. Finally, the proposed modulation scheme and the reduction of capacitance are verified by simulation results using PLECS.