Analysis, design, and implementation of the AFZ converter applied to photovoltaic systems

Grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) installations with Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) architectures include a DC-DC Module Integrated Converter (MIC) for managing each PV panel, isolating it from the others, reducing the mismatching effect and maximizing the harvested power. In this paper, the Autotransformer Forward converter with type-Zeta resonant reset (AFZ) is proposed as a DMPPT architecture’s MIC candidate. The main characteristics of the AFZ converter are the high versatility due to its voltage step-up and step-down capability; the use of an optimized autotransformer with only two windings, reducing the complexity and power losses of this component; the good dynamic performances, like the Forward converter ones; the low number of components and the simplicity and high feasibility associated to the use of just one active switch. Besides, soft switching transitions are achieved thanks to the autotransformer type-Zeta resonant reset. The steady-state theoretical analysis, considering the effect of the autotransformer leakage inductance, is presented. The converter is also studied in the frequency domain, obtaining the small-signal transfer functions. A design procedure based on the requirements of a 100 kW grid-tied photovoltaic installation is described, yielding in a 225 W prototype with efficiencies up to 95.6 %. Experimental results validate the theoretical analysis.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and FEDER funds through the research project “Storage and Energy Management for Hybrid Electric Vehicles based on Fuel Cell, Battery and Supercapacitors” ELECTRICAR-AG under Grant DPI2014-53685-C2-1-R, in part by the research project CONEXPOT under Grant DPI2017-84572-C2-2-R, and in part by the research project EPIIOT under Grant DPI2017-88062-R

High step up DC-DC converter topology for PV systems and electric vehicles

This thesis presents new high step-up DC-DC converters for photovoltaic and electric vehicle applications. An asymmetric flyback-forward DC-DC converter is proposed for the PV system controlled by the MPPT algorithm. The second converter is a modular switched-capacitor DC-DC converter, it has the capability to operate with transistor and capacitor open-circuit faults in every module. The results from simulations and tests of the asymmetric DC-DC converters have suggested that the proposed converter has a 5% to 10% voltage gain ratio increased to the symmetric structures among 100W – 300W power (such as [3]) range while maintaining efficiency of 89%-93% when input voltage is in the range of 25 – 30 V. they also indicated that the softswitching technique has been achieved, which significantly reduce the power loss by 1.7%, which exceeds the same topology of the proposed converter without the softswitching technique. Moreover, the converters can maintain rated outputs under main transistor open circuit fault situation or capacitor open circuit faults. The simulation and test results of the proposed modularized switched-capacitor DC-DC converters indicate that the proposed converter has the potential of extension, it can be embedded with infinite module in simulation results, however, during experiment. The sign open circuit fault to the transistors and capacitors would have low impact to the proposed converters, only the current ripple on the input source would increase around 25% for 4-module switched-capacitor DC-DC converters. The developed converters can be applied to many applications where DC-DC voltage conversion is alighted. In addition to PVs and EVs. Since they can ride through some electrical faults in the devices, the developed converter will have economic implications to improve the system efficiency and reliability

Design And Implementation Of A Digital Controller With Dsp For Half-br

DC-DC power converters play an important role in powering telecom and computing systems. With the speed improvement and cost reduction of digital control, digital controller is becoming a trend for DC-DC converters in addition to existed digital monitoring and management technology. In this thesis, digital control is investigated for DC-DC converters applications. To deeply understand the whole control systems, DC-DC converter models are investigated based on averaged state-space modeling. Considering half-bridge isolated DC-DC converter with a current doublers rectifier has advantages over other topologies especially in the application of low-voltage and high-current DC-DC converters, the thesis take it as an example for digital control modeling and implementation. In Chapter 2, unified steady-state DC models and small-signal models are developed for both symmetric and asymmetric controlled half-bridge DC-DC converters. Based on the models, digital controller design is implemented. In Chapter 3, digital modeling platforms are established based on Matlab, Digital PID design and corresponding simulation results are provided. Also some critical issues and practical requirements are discussed. In Chapter 4, a DSP-based digital controller is implemented with the TI\u27s DSP chip TMS320F2812. Related implementation methods and technologies are discussed. Finally the experimental results of a DSP-based close-loop of HB converter are provided and analyzed in Chapter 5, and thesis conclusions are given in Chapter 6

Isolated Single-stage Power Electronic Building Blocks Using Medium Voltage Series-stacked Wide-bandgap Switches

The demand for efficient power conversion systems that can process the energy at high power and voltage levels is increasing every day. These systems are to be used in microgrid applications. Wide-bandgap semiconductor devices (i.e. Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices) are very promising candidates due to their lower conduction and switching losses compared to the state-of-the-art Silicon (Si) devices. The main challenge for these devices is that their breakdown voltages are relatively lower compared to their Si counterpart. In addition, the high frequency operation of the wide-bandgap devices are impeded in many cases by the magnetic core losses of the magnetic coupling components (i.e. coupled inductors and/or high frequency transformers) utilized in the power converter circuit. Six new dc-dc converter topologies are propose. The converters have reduced voltage stresses on the switches. Three of them are unidirectional step-up converters with universal input voltage which make them excellent candidates for photovoltaic and fuel cell applications. The other three converters are bidirectional dc-dc converters with wide voltage conversion ratios. These converters are very good candidates for the applications that require bidirectional power flow capability. In addition, the wide voltage conversion ratios of these converters can be utilized for applications such as energy storage systems with wide voltage swings

Design and implementation of multi-port DC-DC converters for electrical power systems

The thesis proposes developing, analysing, and verifying these DC-DC converters to improve the current state-of-the-art topology. Four new DC-DC converters for applications like light emitting diode, lighting microgrids DC, PV applications, and electric vehicles are as follows. In this study, the two-input converter is presented. The two-input converter that has been proposed serves as the interface between the two input sources and load. Using two switches and two diodes, the proposed converter minimises switching losses and contains eight components in total, making it compact and low volume. As a result, the highest average efficiency is 92.5%, and the lowest is 89.6%. In this research, the new three-port converter that has been proposed serves as the interface between the input source, a battery, and a load. In addition, the converter is suitable for use in standalone systems or satellite applications. A low-volume converter is designed with three switches and two diodes, thereby minimizing switching losses and ten components in total. Regarding efficiency, the highest average is 92.5%, and the lowest is 90.9%. Also, this study proposes a single-switch high-step-up converter for LED drivers and PV applications. A further benefit of the proposed converter over conventional classical converters is that it utilises only one active switch. These results align with simulation results, and its gain is 6.8 times greater than classical converters. Furthermore, stress across switches and diodes is smaller than the output voltage, approximately 50%. Semiconductor losses were limited with a low duty cycle of 0.7. This makes the highest average efficiency 95% and the lowest 93.9%. The new four-port converter is presented for applications such as microgrid structures and electric vehicles. As part of the integrated converter, two or three converters are combined by sharing some components, such as switches, inductors, and capacitors, to form a single integrated converter. As a result of the four-port converter proposed, battery power can be managed, and output voltage can be regulated simultaneously

Modular Multilevel Converters with Integrated Split Battery Energy Storage

The electric power grid is undergoing significant changes and updates nowadays, especially on a production and transmission level. Initially, the move towards a distributed generation in contrast to the existing centralized one implies a significant integration of renewable energy sources and electricity storage systems. In addition, environmental awareness and related concerns regarding pollutant emissions have given rise to a high interest in electrical mobility. Advanced power electronics interfacing systems are expected to play a key role in the development of such modern controllable and efficient large-scale grids and associated infrastructures. During the last decade, a global research and development interest has been stimulated in the field of modular multilevel conversion, due to the well-known offered advantages over conventional solutions in the medium- and high-voltage and power range. In the context of battery energy storage systems, the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) family exhibits an additional attractive feature, i.e., the capability of embedding such storage elements in a split manner, given the existence of several submodules operating at significantly lower voltages. This thesis deals with several technical challenges associated with Modular Multilevel Converters as well as their enhancement with battery energy storage elements. Initially, the accurate submodule capacitor voltage ripple estimation for a DC/AC MMC is derived analytically, avoiding any strong assumptions. This is beneficial for converter dimensioning purposes as well as for the implementation improvement of several control schemes, which have been proposed in the literature. The impact of unbalanced grid conditions on the operation and design of an MMC is then investigated, drawing important conclusions regarding the choice of line current control and required capacitive storage energy during grid faults. [...

Development of Multiport Single Stage Bidirectional Converter for Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Integration

The energy market is on the verge of a paradigm shift as the emergence of renewable energy sources over traditional fossil fuel based energy supply has started to become cost competitive and viable. Unfortunately, most of the attractive renewable sources come with inherent challenges such as: intermittency and unreliability. This is problematic for today\u27s stable, day ahead market based power system. Fortunately, it is well established that energy storage devices can compensate for renewable sources shortcomings. This makes the integration of energy storage with the renewable energy sources, one of the biggest challenges of modern distributed generation solution. This work discusses, the current state of the art of power conversion systems that integrate photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems. It is established that the control of bidirectional power flow to the energy storage device can be improved by optimizing its modulation and control. Traditional multistage conversion systems offers the required power delivery options, but suffers from a rigid power management system, reduced efficiency and increased cost. To solve this problem, a novel three port converter was developed which allows bidirectional power flow between the battery and the load, and unidirectional power flow from the photovoltaic port. The individual two-port portions of the three port converter were optimized in terms of modulation scheme. This leads to optimization of the proposed converter, for all possible power flow modes. In the second stage of the project, the three port converter was improved both in terms of cost and efficiency by proposing an improved topology. The improved three port converter has reduced functionality but is a perfect fit for the targeted microinverter application. The overall control system was designed to achieve improved reference tracking for power management and output AC voltage control. The bidirectional converter and both the proposed three port converters were analyzed theoretically. Finally, experimental prototypes were built to verify their performance

Industrial and Technological Applications of Power Electronics Systems

The Special Issue "Industrial and Technological Applications of Power Electronics Systems" focuses on: - new strategies of control for electric machines, including sensorless control and fault diagnosis; - existing and emerging industrial applications of GaN and SiC-based converters; - modern methods for electromagnetic compatibility. The book covers topics such as control systems, fault diagnosis, converters, inverters, and electromagnetic interference in power electronics systems. The Special Issue includes 19 scientific papers by industry experts and worldwide professors in the area of electrical engineering