Beyond the MMC: Extended Modular Multilevel Converter Topologies and Applications

The unique advantages of modular multilevel converters (MMCs) have led to wide adoption the converter topology in high voltage dc (HVDC) transmission systems, with great potential for use medium motor drive and grid applications. Inspired by structure MMC, many extended topologies been developed literature. These include, addition conventional parallel multiphase connection, a variety series-connected topologies. Extended MMCs integrate nature cascaded SMs MMC but different leading substantially operating principles. Given growing number such topologies, this paper provides critical review derived summarizes individual disadvantages. control schemes application fields these are analysed. This facilitates classification understanding necessary scaffold development general framework new applications based on MMC.