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A Phase-Shifted Modulation-Based Framework for Circulating Current Mitigation and Inherent Voltage Balancing in Modular Multilevel Converters
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Keywords
Modular Multilevel Converter
Phase-Shifted Modulation
Circulating Current Suppression
Voltage Balancing
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Abstract
Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) have emerged as a dominant topology in high-power applications such as HVDC transmission, renewable energy integration, and electric drives due to their scalability, modularity, and superior harmonic performance. However, inherent challenges such as circulating currents and capacitor voltage imbalance significantly affect their efficiency, reliability, and control complexity. This paper presents a comprehensive framework based on phase-shifted modulation (PSM) for simultaneous mitigation of circulating currents and natural voltage balancing in MMC systems. The proposed approach leverages carrier phase displacement to achieve uniform energy distribution among submodules while minimizing internal current oscillations. The study integrates theoretical modeling, control architecture design, and analytical validation to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework. Comparative insights with conventional control methods highlight improvements in harmonic suppression, reduced control overhead, and enhanced system stability. The findings indicate that phase-shifted modulation offers a structurally efficient and computationally feasible solution for next-generation power electronic systems.
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