Multiple-output DC–DC converters: applications and solutions

Multiple-output DC–DC converters are essential in a multitude of applications where different DC output voltages are required. The interest and importance of this type of multiport configuration is also reflected in that many electronics manufacturers currently develop integrated solutions. Traditionally, the different output voltages required are obtained by means of a transformer with several windings, which are in addition to providing electrical isolation. However, the current trend in the development of multiple-output DC–DC converters follows general aspects, such as low losses, high-power density, and high efficiency, as well as the development of new architectures and control strategies. Certainly, simple structures with a reduced number of components and power switches will be one of the new trends, especially to reduce the size. In this sense, the incorporation of devices with a Wide Band Gap (WBG), particularly Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC), will establish future trends, advantages, and disadvantages in the development and applications of multiple-output DC–DC converters. In this paper, we present a review of the most important topics related to multiple-output DC–DC converters based on their main topologies and configurations, applications, solutions, and trends. A wide variety of configurations and topologies of multiple-output DC–DC converters are shown (more than 30), isolated and non-isolated, single and multiple switches, and based on soft and hard switching techniques, which are used in many different applications and solutions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Two new families of high-gain DC-DC power electronic converters for DC-microgrids

Distributing the electric power in dc form is an appealing solution in many applications such as telecommunications, data centers, commercial buildings, and microgrids. A high gain dc-dc power electronic converter can be used to individually link low-voltage elements such as solar panels, fuel cells, and batteries to the dc voltage bus which is usually 400 volts. This way, it is not required to put such elements in a series string to build up their voltages. Consequently, each element can function at it optimal operating point regardless of the other elements in the system. In this dissertation, first a comparative study of dc microgrid architectures and their advantages over their ac counterparts is presented. Voltage level selection of dc distribution systems is discussed from the cost, reliability, efficiency, and safety standpoints. Next, a new family of non-isolated high-voltage-gain dc-dc power electronic converters with unidirectional power flow is introduced. This family of converters benefits from a low voltage stress across its switches. The proposed topologies are versatile as they can be utilized as single-input or double-input power converters. In either case, they draw continuous currents from their sources. Lastly, a bidirectional high-voltage-gain dc-dc power electronic converter is proposed. This converter is comprised of a bidirectional boost converter which feeds a switched-capacitor architecture. The switched-capacitor stage suggested here has several advantages over the existing approaches. For example, it benefits from a higher voltage gain while it uses less number of capacitors. The proposed converters are highly efficient and modular. The operating modes, dc voltage gain, and design procedure for each converter are discussed in details. Hardware prototypes have been developed in the lab. The results obtained from the hardware agree with those of the simulation models. --Abstract, page iv

High efficiency and high gain non-isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter with soft switching capability

The non-isolated dc-dc power converters are considered as a unique option for flexible voltage control and adaptation in the modern energy conversion systems due to their simple and light configurations. To this date, these converters are primarily investigated to generate high efficiency and high gain with a sustained soft switching capability and a smaller footprint. On that account, this work proposes two effective solutions to address the aforementioned issues. First, a high-efficiency soft switching non-isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter with a simple configuration is proposed. The converter executes the zero voltage zero current switching (ZVZCS) over a wide operating region to ensure high efficiency. For verification, a 150 W experimental prototype is built and tested for soft switching performance by varying the input voltage, switching frequency and the loading. It is observed that the efficiency remains consistently high and has a full-load maximum of 98.2% in the boost mode and 97.5% in the buck mode. The analysis of the Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) performance of the converter also shows the improvement in the noise signature. Second, an improved high gain zero voltage switching (ZVS) nonisolated bidirectional dc-dc converter is proposed. The high gain is realized by using an intermediate energy storage cell with reduced size. Besides, the ZVS is implemented by two integrated auxiliary resonant networks. These networks ensure sustained ZVS operation over the entire duty ratio. A 200 W prototype is built to verify the concept. As a result, a full load efficiency of 97.5% (in boost mode) and 95.5% (in buck mode) is recorded at fs= 30 kHz. Also, these efficiencies are recorded as 97% (boost mode) and 94.5% (buck mode) at fs= 100 kHz. Moreover, it is observed that the efficiency (and so the soft switching) is consistent over the entire gain profile. However, there is a slight additional drop of 1.5% (boost mode) and 1% (buck mode) at extreme duty ratios. Both converters also implement soft switching for auxiliary switches and eliminate the reverse recovery loss

Fault Tolerant DC–DC Converters at Homes and Offices

The emergence of direct current (DC) microgrids within the context of residential buildings and offices brings in a whole new paradigm in energy distribution. As a result, a set of technical challenges arise, concerning the adoption of efficient, cost-effective, and reliable DC-compatible power conditioning solutions, suitable to interface DC microgrids and energy consuming elements. This thesis encompasses the development of DC–DC power conversion solutions, featuring improved availability and efficiency, suitable to meet the requirements of a comprehensive set of end-uses commonly found in homes and offices. Based on the energy consumption profiles and requirements of the typical elements found at homes and offices, three distinctive groups are established: light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and general appliances. For each group, a careful evaluation of the criteria to fulfil is performed, based on which at least one DC–DC power converter is selected and investigated. Totally, a set of five DC–DC converter topologies are addressed in this work, being specific aspects related to fault diagnosis and/or fault tolerance analysed with particular detail in two of them. Firstly, mathematical models are described for LED devices and EV batteries, for the development of a theoretical analysis of the systems’ operation through computational simulations. Based on a compilation of requirements to account for in each end-use (LED lighting, EV charging, and general appliances), brief design considerations are drawn for each converter topology, regarding their architecture and control strategy. Aiming a detailed understanding of the two DC–DC power conversion systems subjected to thorough evaluation in this work – interleaved boost converter and fault-tolerant single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) converter – under both normal and abnormal conditions, the operation of the systems is evaluated in the presence of open-circuit (OC) faults. Parameters of interest are monitored and evaluated to understand how the failures impact the operation of the entire system. At this stage, valuable information is obtained for the development of fault diagnosis strategies. Taking profit of the data collected in the analysis, a novel fault diagnostic strategy is presented, targeting interleaved DC–DC boost converters for general appliances. Ease of implementation, fast diagnostic and robustness against false alarms distinguish the proposed approach over the state-of-the-art. Its effectiveness is confirmed through a set of operation scenarios, implemented in both simulation environment and experimental context. Finally, an extensive set of reconfiguration strategies is presented and evaluated, aiming to grant fault tolerance capability to the multiple DC–DC converter topologies under analysis. A hybrid reconfiguration approach is developed for the interleaved boost converter. It is demonstrated that the combination of reconfiguration strategies promotes remarkable improvements on the post-fault operation of the converter. In addition, an alternative SIMO converter architecture, featuring inherent tolerance against OC faults, is presented and described. To exploit the OC fault tolerance capability of the fault-tolerant SIMO converter, a converter topology targeted at residential LED lighting systems, two alternative reconfiguration strategies are presented and evaluated in detail. Results obtained from computational simulations and experimental tests confirm the effectiveness of the approaches. To further improve the fault-tolerant SIMO converter with regards to its robustness against sensor faults, while simplifying its hardware architecture, a sensorless current control strategy is presented. The proposed control strategy is evaluated resorting to computational simulations.O surgimento de micro-redes em corrente contínua (CC) em edifícios residenciais e de escritórios estabelece um novo paradigma no domínio da distribuição de energia. Como consequência disso, surge uma panóplia de desafios técnicos ligados à adopção de soluções de conversão de energia, compatíveis com CC, que demonstrem ser eficientes, rentáveis e fiáveis, capazes de estabelecer a interface entre micro-redes em CC e as cargas alimentadas por esse sistema de energia. Até aos dias de hoje, os conversores CC–CC têm vindo a ser maioritariamente utilizados em aplicações de nicho, que geralmente envolvem níveis de potência reduzidos. Porém, as perspectivas futuras apontam para a adopção, em larga escala, destas tecnologias de conversão de energia, também em equipamentos eléctricos residenciais e de escritórios. Tal como qualquer outra tecnologia de conversão electrónica de potência, os conversores CC–CC podem ver o seu funcionamento afectado por falhas que degradam o seu bom funcionamento, sendo que essas falhas acabam por afectar não apenas os conversores em si, mas também as cargas que alimentam, limitando assim o tempo de vida útil do conjunto conversor + carga. Desta forma, é fulcral localizar a origem da falha, para que possam ser adoptadas acções correctivas, capazes de limitar as consequências nefastas associadas à falha. Para responder a este desafio, esta tese contempla o desenvolvimento de soluções de conversão de energia CC–CC altamente eficientes e fiáveis, capazes de responder a requisitos impostos por um conjunto alargado de equipamentos frequentemente encontrados em habitações e escritórios. Com base nos perfis de consumo de energia eléctrica e nos requisitos impostos pelas cargas tipicamente utilizadas em habitações e escritórios, são estabelecidos três grupos distintos: iluminação através de díodos emissores de luz, carregamento de veículo eléctrico (VE) e aparelhos eléctricos em geral. Para cada grupo, é efectuada uma avaliação cuidadosa dos critérios a respeitar, sendo com base nesses critérios que será escolhida e investigada pelo menos uma topologia de conversor CC–CC. No total, são abordadas cinco topologias de conversores CC–CC distintas, sendo que os aspectos ligados ao diagnóstico de avarias e/ou tolerância a falhas são analisados com particular detalhe em duas dessas topologias. Inicialmente, são estabelecidos modelos matemáticos descritivos do comportamento das principais cargas consideradas no estudo – díodos emissores de luz e baterias de VEs – visando a análise teórica do funcionamento dos sistemas em estudo, suportada por simulações computacionais. Com base numa compilação de requisitos a ter em conta em cada aplicação – iluminação através de díodos emissores de luz, carregamento de veículo eléctrico (VE) e aparelhos eléctricos em geral – são estabelecidas considerações ligadas à escolha de cada topologia de conversor não isolado, no que respeita à sua arquitectura e estratégia de controlo. Visando o conhecimento aprofundado das duas topologias de conversor CC–CC alvo de particular enfoque neste trabalho – conversor entrelaçado elevador e conversor de entrada única e múltiplas saídas, tolerante a falhas – quer em funcionamento normal, quer em funcionamento em modo de falha, é avaliado o funcionamento de ambas as topologias na presença de falhas de circuito aberto nos semicondutores activos. Para o efeito, são monitorizados e analisados parâmetros úteis à percepção da forma como os modos de falha avaliados neste trabalho impactam o funcionamento de todo o sistema. Nesta fase, é obtida informação fundamental ao desenvolvimento de estratégias de diagnóstico de avarias, particularmente indicadas para avarias de circuito aberto nos semicondutores activos dos conversores em estudo. Com base na informação recolhida anteriormente, é apresentada uma nova estratégia de diagnóstico de avarias direccionada a conversores CC–CC elevadores entrelaçados utilizados em aparelhos eléctricos, em geral. Facilidade de implementação, rapidez e robustez contra falsos positivos são algumas das características que distinguem a estratégia proposta em relação ao estado da arte. A sua efectividade é confirmada com recurso a uma multiplicidade de cenários de funcionamento, implementados quer em ambiente de simulação, quer em contexto experimental. Por fim, é apresentada e avaliada uma gama alargada de estratégias de reconfiguração, que visam assegurar a tolerância a falhas das diversas topologias de conversores CC–CC em estudo. É desenvolvida uma estratégia de reconfiguração híbrida, direccionada ao conversor entrelaçado elevador, que combina múltiplas medidas de reconfiguração mais simples num único procedimento. Demonstra-se que a combinação de múltiplas estratégias de reconfiguração introduz melhorias substanciais no funcionamento do conversor ao longo do período pós-falha, ao mesmo tempo que assegura a manutenção da qualidade da energia à entrada e saída do conversor reconfigurado. Noutra frente, é apresentada e descrita uma arquitectura alternativa do conversor de entrada única e múltiplas saídas, com tolerância a falhas de circuito aberto. Através da configuração proposta, é possível manter o fornecimento de energia eléctrica a todas as saídas do conversor. Para tirar máximo proveito da tolerância a falhas do conversor de entrada única e múltiplas saídas, uma topologia de conversor indicada para sistemas residenciais de iluminação baseados em díodos emissores de luz, são apresentadas e avaliadas duas estratégias de reconfiguração do conversor, exclusivamente baseadas na adaptação do controlo aplicado ao conversor. Os resultados de simulação computacional e os resultados experimentais obtidos confirmam a efectividade das abordagens adoptadas, através da melhoria da qualidade da energia eléctrica fornecida às diversas saídas do conversor. São assim asseguradas condições essenciais ao funcionamento ininterrupto e estável dos sistemas de iluminação, já que a qualidade da energia eléctrica fornecida aos sistemas de iluminação tem impacto directo na qualidade da luz produzida. Por fim, e para aprimorar o conversor de entrada única e múltiplas saídas tolerante a falhas, no que respeita à sua robustez contra falhas em sensores, é apresentada uma estratégia de controlo de corrente que evita o recurso excessivo a sensores e, ao mesmo tempo, simplifica a estrutura de controlo do conversor. A estratégia apresentada é avaliada através de simulações computacionais. A abordagem apresentada assume vantagens em múltiplos domínios, sendo de destacar vantagens como a melhoria da fiabilidade de todo o sistema de iluminação (conversor + carga), os ganhos atingidos ao nível do rendimento, a redução do custo de implementação da solução, ou a simplificação da estrutura de controlo.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under grant number SFRH/BD/131002/2017, co-funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (MCTES), by the European Social Fund (FSE) through the ‘Programa Operacional Regional Centro’ (POR-Centro), and by the Human Capital Operational Programme (POCH)

Power Electronics Platforms for Grid-Tied Smart Buildings

Renewable energy sources (such as sun, wind, water, or fuel cells) are attracting great interest for either grid-tied or off-grid arrangements in smart green buildings. It must be either used when generated, stored for future use on-site, delivered to the power grid, or shared among combination of these. Grid-tied buildings are connected to the utility grid service lines. Off-grid buildings have no connection to utility service lines. Both types employ inverters to convert power from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), and most off-grid systems have batteries to store energy for use when needed. Accordingly, power electronics systems are playing an important role as the enabling technology for smart grid. In addition, smart meter represents the interface part between the green building and the utility grid. In order to realize the interaction between both systems, a bidirectional power conditioning module is needed. This chapter introduces the different power electronics platforms suitable for grid-tied smart green buildings (such as residential homes, commercial, and industrial) as well as its integrative functionality with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). In order to show the superiority of these platforms in conjunction with smart meters, a hardware case study with one of the most popular power electronics topologies is presented

High-Voltage-Gain DC-DC Power Electronic Converters -- New Topologies and Classification

This dissertation proposes two new high-voltage-gain dc-dc converters for integration of renewable energy sources in 380/400V dc distribution systems. The first high-voltage-gain converter is based on a modified Dickson charge pump voltage multiplier circuit. The second high-voltage-gain converter is based on a non-inverting diode-capacitor voltage multiplier cell. Both the proposed converters offer continuous input current and low voltage stress on switches which make them appealing for applications like integration of renewable energy sources. The proposed converters are capable for drawing power from a single source or two sources while having continuous input current in both cases. Theoretical analysis of the operation of the proposed converters and the component stresses are discussed with supporting simulation and hardware results. This dissertation also proposes a family of high-voltage-gain dc-dc converters that are based on a generalized structure. The two stage general structure consists of a two-phase interleaved (TPI) boost stage and a voltage multiplier (VM) stage. The TPI boost stage results in a classification of the family of converters into non-isolated and isolated converters. A few possible VM stages are discussed. The voltage gain derivations of the TPI boost stages and VM stages are presented in detail. An example converter is discussed with supporting hardware results to verify the general structure. The proposed family of converters can be powered using single source or two sources while having continuous input current in both cases. These high voltage gain dc-dc converters are modular and scalable; making them ideal for harnessing energy from various renewable sources offering power at different levels --Abstract, page iv

Electric Vehicles Charging Stations’ Architectures, Criteria, Power Converters, and Control Strategies in Microgrids

Electric Vehicles (EV) usage is increasing over the last few years due to a rise in fossil fuel prices and the rate of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The EV charging stations are powered by the existing utility power grid systems, increasing the stress on the utility grid and the load demand at the distribution side. The DC grid-based EV charging is more efficient than the AC distribution because of its higher reliability, power conversion efficiency, simple interfacing with renewable energy sources (RESs), and integration of energy storage units (ESU). The RES-generated power storage in local ESU is an alternative solution for managing the utility grid demand. In addition, to maintain the EV charging demand at the microgrid levels, energy management and control strategies must carefully power the EV battery charging unit. Also, charging stations require dedicated converter topologies, control strategies and need to follow the levels and standards. Based on the EV, ESU, and RES accessibility, the different types of microgrids architecture and control strategies are used to ensure the optimum operation at the EV charging point. Based on the above said merits, this review paper presents the different RES-connected architecture and control strategies used in EV charging stations. This study highlights the importance of different charging station architectures with the current power converter topologies proposed in the literature. In addition, the comparison of the microgrid-based charging station architecture with its energy management, control strategies, and charging converter controls are also presented. The different levels and types of the charging station used for EV charging, in addition to controls and connectors used in the charging station, are discussed. The experiment-based energy management strategy is developed for controlling the power flow among the available sources and charging terminals for the effective utilization of generated renewable power. The main motive of the EMS and its control is to maximize usage of RES consumption. This review also provides the challenges and opportunities for EV charging, considering selecting charging stations in the conclusion.publishedVersio

Photovoltaic Sub-module Integrated Converter Analysis

abstract: With the rapid expansion of the photovoltaic industry over the last decade, there has been a huge demand in the PV installations in the residential sector. This thesis focuses on the analysis and implementation of a dc-dc boost converter at photovoltaic sub-module level. The thesis also analyses the various topologies like switched capacitors and extended duty ratio which can be practically implemented in the photovoltaic panels. The results obtained in this work have concentrated on the use of novel strategies to substitute the use of central dc-dc converter used in PV module string connection. The implementation of distributed MPPT at the PV sub-module level is also an integral part of this thesis. Using extensive PLECS simulations, this thesis came to the conclusion that with the design of a proper compensation at the dc interconnection of a series or parallel PV Module Integrated Converter string, the central dc-dc converter can be substituted. The dc-ac interconnection voltage remains regulated at all irradiance level even without a dc-dc central converter at the string end. The foundation work for the hardware implementation has also been carried out. Design of parameters for future hardware implementation has also been presented in detail in this thesis.Dissertation/ThesisM.S. Electrical Engineering 201