A tuning-less model predictive control for modular multilevel converter capable of unbalanced grid fault

•A tuning-less model predictive control (MPC) is proposed for MMC.•Separate control of power, circulating current and submodule capacitor voltages are achieved.•Unbalanced fault-ride-through capability is established in the power control stage.•A modified sorting algorithm is implemented to reduce the switching frequency.

This paper focuses on a tuning-less model predictive control (MPC) strategy with unbalanced fault-ride-through capability for a three-phase modular multilevel converter (MMC). Three individual control stages are designed to cater for the multiple control objectives in MMC without the need for any weighting factor tuning. A conceptually simple power regulation approach which requires neither synchronous coordinate transformation nor grid-voltage phase angle detection is introduced into the proposed MPC. Meanwhile, two alternatives are proposed to the power regulation stage to adapt to the special needs under unbalanced grid fault. Neither of the alternatives involves any tuning work. In addition, a modified sorting algorithm is presented to resolve the problem of unnecessary switching transitions, which is inherent in conventional sorting algorithm. The proposed tuning-less MPC is capable of direct active and reactive power control, circulating current minimization, submodule capacitor voltage balancing, switching frequency reduction, and great resilience under balanced and unbalanced grid conditions. The presented simulation results confirm the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed control method.