Three-Phase Multilevel Inverter Using Selective Harmonic Elimination with Marine Predator Algorithm

In this paper, the marine predator algorithm (MPA) is proposed for solving transcendental nonlinear equations in a selective harmonic elimination technique using a multilevel inverter (MLI). It proved its suitability and supremacy over the other selective harmonic (SHE) techniques used in recent research as it has good precision, high probability of convergence, and improving quality of output voltage. The optimum values of switching angles from MPA are applied to control a three-phase 11-level MLI using cascaded H-bridge (CHB) topology to control the fundamental component and cancel the low order harmonics for all values of modulation index from 0 to 1. Analytical and simulation results demonstrate the robustness and consistency of the technique through the MATLAB simulation platform. The results obtained from simulation show that the MPA algorithm is more efficient and accurate than other algorithms such as teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO), flower pollination algorithm (FPA), and hybrid particle swarm optimization with gray wolf optimization (PSOGWO). A prototype for a three-phase seven-level cascaded H-bridge inverter (7L-MLI-CHB) experimental setup is carried out. The output of this experimental test validated and supported the results obtained from the simulation analysis. The model of power loss of three-phase 7L-MLI-CHB using the silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) is obtained according to the modulation technique. Conduction and switching losses are calculated based on the experimental manufacturer data from the Si-MOSFET using the thermal model of Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation (PLECS). Losses and output power are measured at different modulation index values based on the MPA algorithm. Finally, a design of heatsink volume is presented for this design at different temperatures.