Analysis and Control of Wound Rotor Synchronous Machines and Modular Multilevel Converters for Industrial and Automotive Applications Pushing Towards Massive Electrification

The pursuit of decarbonization through electrification requires innovations across multiple domains spanning from electric machines to power converter technologies. On the one hand, wound rotor synchronous machines (WRSMs) address material sustainability challenges and deliver high-efficiency solutions for automotive applications, at the same time providing a solution to reduce supply chain risk and environmental concerns. Conversely, modular multilevel converter (MMC) is a viable solution for realizing robust and scalable power conversion systems and electric drives. It’s important to note that these innovations are not standalone but rather part of a collective effort. Together, they enable the integration of renewable energy sources and advanced electrified transportation systems, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the clean energy transition. This work is part of that collective effort towards massive electrification. Control challenges associated with the optimal employment and control of WRSMs are addressed, and novel solutions are proposed, both for the operating point selection and for the accurate current control perspective. For the latter, powerful model predictive control (MPC) techniques have been exploited to obtain superior accuracy and dynamic performance. Moreover, various MMC based drive application scenarios are analyzed in order to provide solutions to the associated problems. IB-MMC is presented as a solution to realize a traction system drive with cell-balancing capability for heavy-duty traction applications, such as trucks, tractors, and ships. On the other, novel and original control techniques and design approaches are proposed to realize a flying capacitor passive cross-connected arms MMC (FC-PCC MMC) based industrial drive. The effectiveness of all the proposals is demonstrated by accurate simulation of said systems.