A new nine-level single-DC source-based inverter topology for distributed generation

Abstract

Multilevel inverter enables to completely remove the passive filtering requirement at the grid interfacing end, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced cost. These features have led to increasing attention towards their application to medium and high-power arena. In this paper, investigation of a hybrid 9-level inverter topology for grid integration of renewable energy sources is presented. The structural details, operating principle, capacitor voltage balancing control and the main features of the proposed inverter are presented. The proposed topology is compared with other similar 9-level converters to emphasize its superior characteristics and performance. Simulation results demonstrating the grid connected operation of the converter for two test cases are presented. The results affirm the effectiveness of the capacitor voltage balancing control in maintaining capacitor voltages at set values, under steady state and transient operation of the converter. � 2016 IEEE.