Applying a Virtual Prototyping Process to Generate Pareto Optimal Solutions for a Modular Multi-Level MVAC to MVDC Converter

This paper, pursuant to the United States Navy’s plans for an all-electric warship, presents a framework for developing metaheuristic, model-based scaling laws that can be applied to set-based designs of shipboard medium voltage direct current (MVDC) Integrated Power and Energy Systems (IPES). More precisely, proposed MVDC-IPES implementations could be approached through multi-objective optimization techniques to minimize mass, volume, and power loss. The metaheuristic scheme is employed in this scenario to the active rectifier aspect of a power generation module (PGM), which interfaces between each generator and the MVDC bus and has a major impact on overall system space claim, displacement and heat. To begin, a specific, PGM-based, modular multilevel converter (MMC) topology and its Lowest Replaceable Units (LRUs) – the power electronic building blocks (PEBBs) along with the arm inductors – are addressed. The details of the virtual prototyping process applied to the LRUs are then compartmentalized. Finally, the paper moves to outline a working implementation complete with input data and design results.