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Experimental Validation of a Reduced-Scale Rail Power Conditioner Based on Modular Multilevel Converter for AC Railway Power Grids

Author

Listed:
  • Mohamed Tanta

    (School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Jose Cunha

    (School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Luis A. M. Barros

    (School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Vitor Monteiro

    (School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • José Gabriel Oliveira Pinto

    (School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Antonio P. Martins

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Joao L. Afonso

    (School of Engineering, Campus of Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

Abstract

Rail power conditioner (RPC) has the ability to improve the power quality in AC railway power grids. This power conditioner can increase the loading capacity of traction substations, balance the active power between the feeder load sections, and compensate for reactive power and current harmonics. At present, there is increasing use of multilevel converter topologies, which provide scalability and robust performance under different conditions. In this framework, modular multilevel converter (MMC) is emerging as a prominent solution for medium-voltage applications. Serving that purpose, this paper focuses on the implementation, testing, and validation of a reduced-scale laboratory prototype of a proposed RPC based on an MMC. The developed laboratory prototype, designed to be compact, reliable, and adaptable to multipurpose applications, is presented, highlighting the main control and power circuit boards of the MMC. In addition, MMC parameter design of the filter inductor and submodule capacitor is also explained. Experimental analysis and validation of a reduced-scale prototype RPC based on MMC topology, are provided to verify the power quality improvement in electrified railway power grids. Thus, two experimental case studies are presented: (1) when both of the load sections are unequally loaded; (2) when only one load section is loaded. Experimental results confirm the RPC based on MMC is effective in reducing the harmonic contents, solving the problem of three-phase current imbalance and compensating reactive power.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Tanta & Jose Cunha & Luis A. M. Barros & Vitor Monteiro & José Gabriel Oliveira Pinto & Antonio P. Martins & Joao L. Afonso, 2021. "Experimental Validation of a Reduced-Scale Rail Power Conditioner Based on Modular Multilevel Converter for AC Railway Power Grids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:2:p:484-:d:482550
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vítor A. Morais & João L. Afonso & Adriano S. Carvalho & António P. Martins, 2020. "New Reactive Power Compensation Strategies for Railway Infrastructure Capacity Increasing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-25, August.
    2. Mohamed Tanta & José Gabriel Pinto & Vitor Monteiro & Antonio P. Martins & Adriano S. Carvalho & Joao L. Afonso, 2020. "Topologies and Operation Modes of Rail Power Conditioners in AC Traction Grids: Review and Comprehensive Comparison," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-30, May.
    3. Zhengyou He & Zheng Zheng & Haitao Hu, 2016. "Power quality in high-speed railway systems," International Journal of Rail Transportation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(2), pages 71-97, June.
    4. Joao L. Afonso & Luiz A. Lisboa Cardoso & Delfim Pedrosa & Tiago J. C. Sousa & Luis Machado & Mohamed Tanta & Vitor Monteiro, 2020. "A Review on Power Electronics Technologies for Electric Mobility," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-61, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fujun Ma & Yulin Kuang & Zhengwen Wang & Gelin Huang & Dexing Kuang & Cheng Zhang, 2021. "Multi-Port and -Functional Power Conditioner and Its Control Strategy with Renewable Energy Access for a Railway Traction System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Andrea Mariscotti & Leonardo Sandrolini, 2021. "Detection of Harmonic Overvoltage and Resonance in AC Railways Using Measured Pantograph Electrical Quantities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Ying Wang & Yueyang Xin & Ziyun Xie & Xiuqing Mu & Xiaoqiang Chen, 2023. "Research on Low-Frequency Stability under Emergency Power Supply Scheme of Photovoltaic and Battery Access Railway Traction Power Supply System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-32, June.
    4. Luis A. M. Barros & António P. Martins & José Gabriel Pinto, 2023. "Balancing the Active Power of a Railway Traction Power Substation with an sp-RPC," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-22, March.

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