Power Loss Calculation Tool for N-level Half-bridge Sub-module Modular Multilevel Converter used for Offshore Wind Energy

This paper presents a power loss calculation tool for a half-bridge sub-module (HBSM) modular multi-level converter (MMC). The tool can calculate both conduction and switching losses for an N-level HBSM-MMC for a range of user specifications. A semi-analytic approach is used to estimate the steady-state behaviour to accelerate the calculations. The speed and accuracy of this tool enables holistic design optimisation of the MMC. The tool’s performance is verified using a detailed PLECS model of the converter and the error rate for both conduction and switching loss is within 5%.