Selective Harmonic Mitigation: Limitations of Classical Control Strategies and Benefits of Model Predictive Control

Selective harmonic mitigation pulsewidth modulation (SHMPWM) combined with model predictive control (MPC) is a promising approach for grid-connected power converters. SHMPWM can guarantee grid code compliance in steady state, e.g. grid harmonic injection, with a reduced output converter filter, while MPC improves dynamic response and allows grid code compliance in the event of grid transients. This article presents a survey of the MPC strategies already published in the literature developed for their use with SHMPWM. The existing strategies fall into two categories: direct model predictive control with an implicit selective harmonic mitigation modulator, and direct model predictive control based on finite control set (FCS-MPC). One representative control strategy of each group is compared to each other and to the performance of classical proportional-integral (PI) controllers combined with SHMPWM. The goal is to identify the potential benefits of MPC for grid-connected power converters, and determine the main advantages and limitations of the two selected state-of-the-art control strategies. Their performance is assessed through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experimental results in terms of real-time implementation, harmonic content grid code compliance, dynamic response and performance under grid transients.

Automated summary

This article surveys the application of selective harmonic mitigation pulsewidth modulation (SHMPWM) combined with model predictive control (MPC) in grid-connected power converters. The existing strategies are categorized and compared, and their performance is evaluated through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiments.