Single-Stage Boost Modular Multilevel Converter (BMMC) for Energy Storage Interface

Single-stage DC-AC power converters are gaining higher attention due to their simpler structure compared to the two-stage equivalent solution. In this paper, a single-stage DC-AC converter solution is proposed for interfacing a low voltage (LV) DC source with a higher voltage AC load or grid, where this converter has a modular structure with multilevel operation. The proposed converter, which is called boost modular multilevel converter (BMMC), comprises the boosting capability within the inversion operation, and it is mainly dedicated for interfacing LV energy storage systems, such as fuel cells and batteries, and it allows the use of LV MOSFETs (<; 300 V), in order to utilize their low ON-state resistance, along with LV electrolytic capacitors. This converter is introduced and analysed in this paper, where simulation results using PLECS, considering a 10 kW three-phase BMMC, are presented in order to verify its functionality.