In recent years, multilevel converters have become standard practice in the field of HVDC grids and Medium Voltage Drives. But lower voltage applications seem to take benefit from the usage of new multilevel solutions and topologies, as well. The increasing number of levels even allows using low voltage MOSFET devices to reach the goals of energy efficiency and improved performance. The Neutral Point Clamped topology which started this revolution is now one of several solutions, but there are also improvements.

With this mature technology, switching higher voltages and delivering higher power are not the only benefits, which allow other fields of application. Improved efficiency is a key feature for photovoltaic systems and uninterruptible power supplies, reduced harmonic distortion helps making lighter and more compact onboard systems, increased apparent switching frequency and bandwidth allows suppressing electrolytic capacitors in voltage regulator modules feeding microprocessors.

Multilevel topologies have changed the world of Power Electronics, and this affects every part of the design of power converters: control and modulation techniques, technological requirements, system-oriented design and reliability issues.

The workshop is chaired by Dr. Thierry. Meynard (University of Toulouse, ENSEEIHT – LAPLACE), Dr. Georgios Demetriades and Pierluigi Tenca (ABB Corporate Research Sweden), and Jochen Koszescha (ECPE).

All presentations and discussions will be in English.