A Novel Z-Type Self-Balancing Modular Multilevel Converter for Flywheel Driving Applications

With the development of flywheel technology, the speed and the voltage level of flywheel continue to increase. The Z-type self-balancing modular multilevel converter can have a wide frequency range at medium voltage and is suitable for flywheel driving application. However, the voltage and current characteristics of the flywheel and the variable frequency drive still affect capacitor voltage balance in each phase-leg. The new balance of capacitor voltage can be achieved by controlling the circulating current. This paper proposed a control algorithm of the novel Z-type self-balancing modular multilevel converter for flywheel driving applications. Simulation results are presented to validate the theoretical analysis.