One aspect of the disclosure includes a submodule topology for a modular multilevel converter. The submodule topology includes two electronic switches connected together with a first series connection terminal connecting the electronic switches in series, the series connected switches being connected in parallel with two capacitors connected together with a second series connection terminal connecting the capacitors in series. A bidirectional electronic switch connects the first series connection terminal with the second series connected terminal. An output voltage is obtained across the first series connected terminal and a common terminal formed by the parallel connection of the series connected switches with the series connected capacitors.