Modular Multilevel Matrix Converter as Solid State Transformer for Medium and High Voltage AC Substations

The use of power converters as solid state transformers is an attractive solution to modernize the network, but this has not been fully addressed for MV and HV substations. This paper presents a customized simple control Modular Multilevel Matrix Converter (M3C), specially conceived its operation on synchronous ports, which case AC allows bidirectional transfer, generation/absorption reactive provisions ancillary services. converter compared back-to-back (B2B-MMC) where key performance indicators carry out comparison are efficiency, number semiconductor devices, passive components required, footprint, voltage cell balance, fault blocking capability stress components. simulation results show features, attractiveness M3C topology in 33/11 kV, 16 MW substation under different operating conditions, including grid faults dynamic operation. similar efficiency than B2B-MMC, it uses fewer total capacitor energy reducing cost footprint. experimental less ideal conditions transformer saturation step response.