Soft-Switching Cells for High-Power Converters

This paper describes the use of the Auxiliary Resonant Commutated Pole (ARCP) converter topology for the cells of a Modular Multilevel Converter. The workings of the ARCP topology are explained as well as the calculation method used to compare the efficiency to a conventional solution. Comparison is done for an HVDC as well as for a STATCOM application. In both cases, use of the ARCP topology can lead to significant reductions in switching losses. The implications of these findings are dealt with as well. These include a higher possible switching frequency and a higher practically feasible cell voltage.