Lifetime Analysis of Power Switches in a Back-to-back MMC for Variable Speed Hydropower Application

Paper i proceeding, 2022

This paper studies the lifetime of the power switches in a back-to-back modular multilevel converter (MMC) for a variable speed hydropower application. In this study, to accurately evaluate the lifetime of the power switches, a detailed simulation model considering the hydro turbine model, the converter model, and the machine model is developed. The controller for the machine and the modulator for the converter are simulated in Matlab Simulink while the electrical behavior of the converter and mechanical behavior of the machine are simulated in PLECS. Furthermore, a mission profile based lifetime evaluation is conducted.