This research planned to design a novel modular multilevel converter(MMC) for vehicles and power trains drived by electric.
The converter will be electrically connected in a multi-level topology, and hence will be able to provide a range of modular charging and motor control functions for different applications.

PLECS will be the main simulation platform to evaluate the MMC topology as it has high fidelity power semiconductor models and a power control block-set. The thermal blocks will predict the power consumed in each part, helping to evaluate the efficiency of the converter and giving insight for thermal management.

Thermal approach: The technical approach will be to evaluate different cooling methods through both 1-D and 3-D CFD simulations.

Mechanical approach: Assessment by applying typical vibrational loads to 3-D FEA models, using the results to guide the design.