HVDC / MTDC & MMC Systems Research

Our research team at RTS@UNSW covers an extended range of projects of HVDC transmission and multiterminal (MTDC) networks.

• Find a timeline of VSC and LCC projects around the world here.

• Our benchmark model for the alternate arm converter (for the RTDS simulator) can be found here.

• Our submission to the 2017 Integrated System Plan consultation can be found here.

Publications and Reports on HVDC / MTDC systems and Modular Multilevel Converters:

2019

Journals

1. J. Li, G. Konstantinou, H.R. Wickramasinghe, X. Jin and J. Pou, "Operation and Control Methods of Modular Multilevel Converters in Unbalanced AC Grids: A Review" IEEE Journal of Emerging and Special Topics in Power Electronics, Vol. 7, No. 2, Jun. 2019, pp. 1258-1271.
2. J. Li, G. Konstantinou, H. R. Wickramasinghe, C. D. Townsend, and J. Pou, "Capacitor Voltage Reduction in Modular Multilevel Converters under Grid Voltages Unbalances" accepted for publication to IEEE Trans. on Power Deliv., Jun. 2019.
3. B. Xia, Y. Li, Z. Li, G. Konstantinou, F. Xu, F. Gao, and P. Wang, "Decentralized Control Method for Modular Multilevel Converters", IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 34, no. 6, Jun. 2019, pp. 5117-5130.
4. H. Wickramasinghe, G. Konstantinou, S. Ceballos, and J. Pou, "Alternate Arm Converter Energy Balancing under Parameter Variation", IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 34, no. 4, Apr. 2019, pp. 2996-3000.
5. H. Wickramasinghe, G. Konstantinou, Z. Li, and J. Pou, "Alternate Arm Converters-Based HVDC Model Compatible with the CIGRE B4 DC Grid Test System", in IEEE Trans. on Power Del., vol. 34, no. 1, Feb. 2019, pp. 149-159.

Conferences

1. P. Sun, F. Arrano-Vargas, H. Wickramasinghe, and G. Konstantinou, "Benchmark Models for HVDC Systems and DC-Grid Studies" in ICPES 2019, Perth, WA, Dec. 2019.
2. G. Konstantinou, H. Wickramasinghe, and X. Zhang, "Loss Comparison and Thermal Performance of
   Modular Multilevel Converters under Discontinuous Pulse Width Modulation", in IEEE ICPES 2019, Perth, WA, Dec. 2019.
3. F. Arrano-Vargas, and G. Konstantinou, "Real-Time Benchmark Models for Large-Scale Renewable
   Integration and Energy Storage Studies", in IEEE PEDG 2019, Xi'an, China, June 2019.
4. H. Wickramasinghe, W. Yao, K. Ma, and G. Konstantinou, "Thermal Performance of Modular Multilevel
   Converters in HVDC applications under O set PWM", in ECCE Asia 2019, Busan, South Korea, May 2019.
5. H. Zhang, H. Wickramasinghe, J. Li and G. Konstantinou, "Modular Multilevel Converter Operation in
   Passive Networks under Unbalanced Loads," in IEEE GTD Asia 2019, Bangkok, Thailand, Mar. 2019.
6. H. Wickramasinghe, W. Yao, K. Ma, and G. Konstantinou, "Thermal Characterization of the Alternate
   Arm Converter for HVDC Applications", in IEEE ICIT 2019, Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 2019.

2018

Journals

1. H. Zhang, L. Jing, X. Wu, J. Jiang, H.R. Wickramasinghe, and G. Konstantinou, "A Power Flow Control Scheme for Multiport Power Electronics Transformers," in IET High Voltage., vol. 3, no. 4, Dec. 2018, pp. 255-262.
2. H. Wickramasinghe, G. Konstantinou, and J. Pou, "Gradient-Based Energy Balancing and Current Control for Alternate Arm Converters", IEEE Trans. on Power Del., vol. 33, no. 3, Jun. 2018, pp. 1459-1468.
3. J. Li, G. Konstantinou, H. Wickramasinghe, J. Pou, X. Wu, and X. Jin, "Impact of Circulating Current Control in Capacitor Voltage Ripples of Modular Multilevel Converters under Grid Imbalances," IEEE Trans. on Power Del., vol. 33, no. 3, Jun. 2018, pp. 1257-1267.
4. O. Cwikowski, H. Wickramasinghe, G. Konstantinou, J. Pou, M. Barnes and R. Shuttleworth, "Modular Multilevel Converter DC Fault Protection", IEEE Trans. on Power Del., vol. 33, no. 1, Jan 2018, pp. 291-300.
5. H. Wickramasinghe, G. Konstantinou, J. Pou and V.G. Agelidis, "Interactions between indirect DC voltage estimation and circulating current controllers of MMC-based HVDC transmission systems", IEEE Trans. Power Systems, vol. 33, no. 1, Jan 2018, pp. 829-838.
6. A. Perez-Basante, S. Ceballos, G. Konstantinou, J. Pou, J. Andreu, and I.Martinez de Alegria, "(2N+1) selective harmonic elimination-PWM for modular multilevel converters: A generalized formulation and a circulating current control method", IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 33, no. 1, Jan. 2018, pp. 802-818.

Conferences

1. G. Konstantinou, H.R. Wickramasinghe, C.D. Townsend, S. Ceballos, J.Pou, "Estimation Methods and
   Sensor Reduction in Modular Multilevel Converters: A Review", in IEEE ICPES 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dec. 2018.
2. Y. Lin, H.R. Wickramasinghe, and G. Konstantinou, "'Hardware-in-the-loop Implementation of a Hybrid
   Circuit Breaker Controller for MMC-based HVDC Systems", in IEEE APPEEC 2018, Kota Kinabalu,
   Malaysia, Oct. 2018.
3. H.R. Wickramasinghe, G. Konstantinou, and J. Pou, "Zero-Current switching for the alternate arm
   converter through on-load tap changers", in IEEE ECCE 2018, Portland, Oregon, Sept. 2018.
4. R. Sandano, H. Nurdin, G. Konstantinou, and M. Farrell, "A Communication-less Cooperative dc voltage control technique for a multi-terminal HVDC transmission system using H1 control" in IEEE ECCE Europe 2018, Riga, Latvia, Sept. 2018.
5. H.R. Wickramasinghe, G. Konstantinou, and J. Pou, "Energy balancing of the alternate arm converter
   under parameter variations", in IEEE ISIE 2018, Cairns, Australia, Jul. 2018.
6. B. Xia, Y. Li, Z. Li, G. Konstantinou, F. Gao, and P. Wang, "Dual phase shift PWM-CSCs based hybrid
   HVDC transmission system", in IEEE ISIE 2018, Cairns, Australia, Jul. 2018.
7. G. Konstantinou, H.R. Wickramasinghe, S. Ceballos, J.Pou, "Submodule Voltage Balancing and Loss
   Equalisation in Alternate Arm Converters Based on Virtual Voltages", in IEEE ECCE Asia 2018, Niigata,
   Japan, May 2018

2017

1. J. Li, G. Konstantinou, H. Wickramasinghe, J. Pou, X. Wu, and X. Jin, "Investigation of MMC-HVDC operating region by circulating current control under grid imbalances" Elsevier Electric Power Systems Research, Vol. 152, Nov. 2017, pp. 211-222.
2. H.R. Wickramasinghe, G. Konstantinou, J. Pou, "Comparison of Bipolar Sub-Modules for the Alternate Arm Converter," Elsevier Electric Power System Research (EPSR), Vol. 146, May. 2017, pp. 115-123.

2016

1. G. Konstantinou, J. Pou, D. Pagano and S. Ceballos, "A hybrid multilevel converter with partial embedded energy storage," in Energies, invited submission to Special Issue from 2nd Energy Future Conference, Vol. 9, no. 12, Dec. 2016.
2. G. Konstantinou, J. Pou, S. Ceballos, R. Picas, J. Zaragoza and V.G. Agelidis, "Control of circulating currents in modular multilevel converters through redundant voltage levels", IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 31, no. 11, Nov. 2016, pp. 7761 - 7769.
3. G. Konstantinou, J. Pou, S. Ceballos, R. Darus, and V.G. Agelidis, "Switching frequency analysis of staircase modulated modular multilevel converters and equivalent PWM techniques", IEEE Trans. Power Del., vol. 31, no. 1, Jan. 2016, pp. 28-36.
4. R. Picas, S. Ceballos, J. Pou, J. Zaragoza, G. Konstantinou, V.G. Agelidis, "Closed loop discontinuouus modulation technique for capacitor voltage ripples and switching losses reduction in modular multilevel converters" IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 30, no.9, pp. 4714-4725, Sep. 2015.