Thermal analysis of multi-MW two-level generator side converters with reduced common-mode-voltage modulation methods for wind turbines

Thermal performance is one of the main indicators of power converter, since it is related to both the cost of cooling system and the reliability of the power converter. Moreover, the common-mode voltage in motor driver may damage the bearing of the motor and also cause failure. Therefore, both the thermal performance and common-mode voltage of the converter should be taken into account during the selection process of the modulation strategies. In this paper, based on the generator side converter of a 3 MW wind power system, the common-modevoltage reduced modulation strategies are compared with the conventional-60o discontinuous PWM, where the common-mode voltage, power losses and thermal performance are all taken into account. In detail, the common-mode voltages are investigated both in time domain and spectrum. The power loss distribution of the power converter with the two modulation strategies is analyzed. Finally, the junction temperature and temperature of the power devices in the converter are obtained based on the thermal model by simulations and compared between the two modulation strategies.