A simplified methodology for mitigating the harmonics and common-mode voltage using multi-level inverters for renewable energy applications

ABSTRACT

Multi-level inverters have outstanding construction, making it feasible to achieve high voltage levels with less THD value. These harmonics can be mitigated by decreasing the number of voltage switches and DC links in the modified cascaded H-bridge multi-level inverter. This research deals with the novel 15-level inverter and reducing the number of power switches. The proposed work consists of three simulation circuits, one with 10 switches and the second with 12 switches. The mitigation of harmonics, voltage stress, and common-mode voltage is achieved with the help of modifying the pulses of the switches in the proposed 10 switches topology. Additionally, a filter is applied at the terminal to reduce the overall THD value for variable AC load applications. The multi-level inverter can generate the high-level output with less harmonics, losses, and common-mode voltage with the help of low switching frequencies. These types of a multi-level inverters are used in renewable energy applications. Finally, the simulation of a 15-level novel inverter is carried out with the help of MATLAB/Simulink software and compared with the conventional cascaded H-bridge multi-level inverter. The total harmonics distortion for modified CHBMI with 12 switches with or without filter and modified CHBMI with 10 switches with or without are mitigated as 13.53, 6.91, 12.86, and 4.56, respectively, compared to the conventional method with 28 switches. The proposed method is implemented in the hardware to validate the simulated results of the proposed topology.

KEYWORDS:

• Cascaded H bridge
• multi-level inverter
• pulse width modulation
• total harmonic distortion
• voltage stress
• common-mode voltage

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Usha Sengamalai

Usha Sengamalai received B.E. Electrical and Electronics Engineering and M.E. Power Electronics and Drives from Anna University, Chennai in 2007 and 2012, respectively. She completed a Ph.D. from the SRM Institute of Science and Technology in 2020, also working as an Assistant professor in the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at SRM University. She has published more than 29 international and national journals. Her research interests include Power Electronics Converters, Stability Analysis of Induction Motors, and Electric Drive Systems.

Palanisamy Ramasamy

Palanisamy Ramasamy received the B.E. degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Anna University, India, in 2011, and the M.Tech. degree in power electronics and drives and the Ph.D. degree in power electronics from the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India, in 2013 and 2019, respectively. He is currently working as an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology. He has published more than 90 international and national journals. His research interests include power electronics multilevel inverters, various PWM techniques for power converters, FACTS controllers, and grid connected photovoltaic systems.

Thamizh Thentral

Thamizh Thentral received her Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Periyar Maniammai, College of Technology for Women, Vallam, India, in 1994 under Bharathidasan University; her Master of Engineering degree in Power Electronics and Drives from Anna University (Easwari Engineering College,) Chennai, India, in 2008 and completed her Ph D. from SRM Institute of Science and Technology in 2020. She has been working as an Assistant Professor in Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur since July 2012. Her research areas of interest are: Power Quality, Smart Grid, Microgrid and Electric Drives and Control.

Karthikeyan Balasubramani

Karthikeyan Balasubramani received the Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the Master’s degree in Power Electronics and Drives during the year 2011 and 2014 from Anna University, Coimbatore and Anna University, Chennai respectively. Currently, he is working toward his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering at Anna University, Chennai in the area of Design of DC-DC converters for Renewable Energy Systems. He is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at K.Ramakrishnan College of Technology, Trichy. His areas of interests include renewable energy systems, power electronic converters and electric vehicles.

Manjunathan Alagarsamy

Manjunathan Alagarsamy received the Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and the Master’s degree in Embedded Systems Technologies during the year 2010 and 2013 from Anna University, Chennai. Currently, He is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at K.Ramakrishnan College of Technology, Trichy. His area of interests includes Embedded systems, Image processing, Sensors and Interfacing networks, hybrid electric vehicles and Internet of Things.

Suresh Muthusamy

Suresh Muthusamy received the Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the Master’s degree in Power Electronics and Drives during the year 2009 and 2011 from Anna University, Chennai and Anna University, Coimbatore respectively. Currently, he is working toward his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering at Anna University, Chennai in the area of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems. He is working as Assistant Professor Senior Grade in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai, Erode. He has published more than 50 research papers in reputed international journals like Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, Springer, etc. His areas of interests include hybrid renewable energy systems, power electronic converters, hybrid electric vehicles and battery management systems.

Hitesh Panchal

Hitesh Panchal obtained his B.E (Mechanical Engineering) from Government Engineering Modasa, in 2004 and M.E (I C Engine & Automobile) from L D College of Engineering Ahmedabad in 2006. He received his PhD (Solar Thermal Engineering) in 2015 from KSV University Gandhinagar. Dr Panchal has published 100 plus Research papers in reputed International Journal publications like Taylor and Francis, Springer, Elsevier, ASME etc. and also received 3850+ Google scholar citations with H index 39 and I10 index: 91. Dr. Panchal obtained many prestigious awards like Best PhD Thesis Award, Bharat Excellence Award, Young Scientist Award, Bright Researchers Award and many more. Dr Panchal has completed 2 Research projects from GUJCOST, DST of 15 Lakhs and currently working on one Research project from DTE . Dr Panchal has filed 24 full patents and 4 Industrial designs and among them 2 patents and 2 industrial design have granted. Recently Dr Panchal is selected in “Top 2% Indian scientist in Energy category” published by Stanford University.

Mayurappriyan Pudupalayam Sachithanandam

Mayurappriyan Pudupalayam Sachithanandam graduated from Kumaraguru College of Technology, Bharathiar University in the year 1993, completed Masters in Control and Instrumentation from College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University, Chennai during 2004, and obtained PhD in Electrical Engineering from Anna University, Chennai during 2012. He is currently working as Professor in the Department of Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering, Kumaraguru College of Technology. His area of specialization is Wind Energy Systems, Advanced Control Systems, Intelligent Controllers in Renewable Energy Systems and Power Electronics. He has a teaching experience of 22 Years and industrial experience of 5 years.

Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni

Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni is working in Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University. He has published 82 Journal papers, 12 book chapters, 7 books edited and 3 patents filed. He has about 10 years of experience in synthesis & characterization of nanoparticles and also in manufacturing nanocomposites for industrial applications. His areas of interest include different types of nanocomposite fabrication, modifications, designs and their applications especially sensors, piezoelectrics, actuators, energy storage, Dielectrics, 3D-Printing and flexible electronics.