Multi-level converters are every day attracting research interest due to it tremendous positive contributions they are making in the power industries. The converter has put hope in the minds of power electronic engineers that a time will come when it will break a record by providing an efficient means of utilizing the abundant renewable energy resources.<strong> </strong>The paper presents a review of multilevel voltage source converters that are widely being used in engineering applications. It reports the technological advancements in converter topologies of Flying Capacitor (FC), Neutral Point (NPC) /Diode Clamped, and Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Recent customized/hybrid topologies of the three-phase multilevel inverter with reduced component count and switching combination are reported. The paper also reviewed different modulation techniques such as the multilevel converter carrier base PWM, Space Vector Modulation techniques (SVM), and Selective Harmonic Elimination method (SHE-PWM). Finally, various multilevel converters areas of application were highlighted. This review will expose the reader to the latest developments made in the multi-level topologies, modulation techniques, and applications.

The paper presents a 5-level cascaded H-bridge voltage source inverter. The converter topology composed of two-cascaded H-bridge modules connected in parallel and powered by a single DC source. The benefit of this topology in comparison with the conventional H-Bridge configuration is that it uses single input DC source instead of two to achieve the same output steps/levels. Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE) is the modulation technique employed. The generated non-linear transcendental equations are solved using an optimised Genetic algorithms to find the switching angles. This property makes the topology and the control function suitable for three phase applications where triplen harmonics are said to cancel out at the line-to-line voltages. This concept of SHE modulation extends the value of the filter cut-off frequency, which translates to smaller sized filter, compact cooling system and reduced system weight. This advantage makes the topology attractive to automotive and renewable energy applications. The topology was simulated using PSIM software.

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As the rapid development of photovoltaic (PV) technology in recent years with the growth of electricity demand, integration of photovoltaic distributed generation (PVDG) to the distribution system is emerging to fulfil the demand. There are benefits and drawbacks to the distribution system due to the penetration of PVDG. This paper discussed and investigated the impacts of PVDG location and size on distribution power systems. The medium voltage distribution network is connected to the grid with the load being supplied by PVDG. Load flow and short circuit calculation are analyzed by using DigSILENT Power Factory Software. Comparisons have been made between the typical distribution system and the distribution system with the penetration of PVDG. Impacts in which PVDG location and size integrates with distribution system are investigated with the results given from the load flow and short circuit analysis. The results indicate positive impacts on the system interconnected with PVDG such as improving voltage profile, reducing power losses, releasing transmission and distribution grid capacity. It also shows that optimal locations and sizes of DGs are needed to minimize the system’s power losses. On the other hand, it shows that PVDG interconnection to the system can cause reverse power flow at improper DG size and location and increases short circuit level.