IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO POWER MODULES FOR USE IN POWER TRANSMISSION NETWORKS

摘要

A configurable power module (10; 80; 90; 140) comprises a first sub-module (12) which includes a first pair (18) of series-connected switching elements (20, 22) that are separated by a first connection terminal (24) and are connected in parallel with a first energy storage device (26). The configurable power module (10; 80; 90; 140) also includes a second sub-module 14 which includes a second pair 36 of series-connected switching elements (38, 40) that are separated by a second connection terminal (42) and are connected in parallel with a second energy storage device (44). The first and second sub-modules (12, 14) are interconnected by a connection module (16) which is operable to interconnect the first and second sub-modules (12, 14) in first and second connection modes. The connection module (16), in the first connection mode, establishes a parallel connection between the first and second energy storage devices (26, 44) which has bidirectional current flow characteristics. The connection module (16), in the second connection mode, interconnects the first and second energy storage devices (26, 44) to permit the first and second energy storage devices (26, 44) to combine and generate a blocking voltage to oppose the flow of current between the first and second connection terminals (24, 42).