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A three-phase AC-AC matrix converter (MC) system is an alternative to a conventional AC-DC-AC Voltage Source Converter (VSC) system for AC drive and distributed Resource units.  As compared with an AC-DC-AC VSC system, the MC eliminated the need for the DC side capacitor storage and as a result can provide higher reliability, smaller size, volume, weight and footprint. Furthermore, the MC topology inherently facilitates fabrication of switches and the corresponding protection, gating and control circuitry as a single IC.

However, direct coupling (without DC link capacitor) between input and output AC sides of a MC results in a stronger electrical coupling between the two AC sides, as compared with a conventional AC-DC-AC VSC configuration. Consequently, electromechanical dynamics within one AC subsystem can adversely impact operation of the other AC subsystem. Examples of such scenarios are (i) sudden change to a re-generative mode in a drive system, and (ii) sudden load change imposed on an AC-interfaced high-speed micro-turbine-generator system. Electrical coupling between the AC sides of a MC can be prevented/minimized by the MC control. This in turn requires an accurate dynamic model of the MC to properly design the control system.

This talk presents a novel dqo-based dynamic model of a MC. the MC operates based on a generic Space Vector Modulation (SVM) switching strategy which can be adopted for any MC application. The developed MC dynamic model can represent (i) large signal voltage excursions and frequency variations at either AC side of the MC, (ii) any input to output frequency ratio, and (iii) unbalanced AC subsystems. The developed model can be linearized about an operating point to obtain a closed-form model of the MC for control design based on linear system theories. Application of the model to design controls of a MC-interfaced micro-turbine-generator unit will be presented and dynamic performance of the unit based on simulation results will be discussed.

Dr. Reza Iravani received his B.Sc. degree in electrical engineering in 1976 from Tehran Polytechnique University. He worked as consulting engineer from 1976 to 1979. Subsequently he received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees, also in electrical engineering, from the University of Manitoba, Canada, in 1981 and 1985 respectively. Currently he is a professor at the University of Toronto. His research interests include modeling and control of power electronic converters, and applications of power electronics in industrial and utility electric power systems. Dr. Iravani is a fellow of the IEEE and chair of the IEEE Power Engineering Society on T&D Subcommittee on General Systems.