PFC Topologies for AC to DC Converters in DC Micro-Grid

With increasing dominance of renewable energy resources and DC household appliances, the novelty of DC micro grid is attracting significant attention. The key interface between the main supply grid and DC micro grid is AC to DC converter. The conventional AC to DC converter with large output capacitor introduces undesirable power quality problems in the main supply current. It reduces system efficiency due to low power factor and high harmonic distortion. Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuits are used to make supply currents sinusoidal and in-phase with supply voltages. This paper presents different PFC topologies for single phase AC to DC converters which are analyzed for power factor (PF), total harmonic distortion (THD) and system efficiency by varying output power. Two-quadrant shunt active filter topology attains a power factor of 0.999, 3.03% THD and 98% system efficiency. Output voltage regulation of the presented active PFC topologies is simulated by applying a step load. Two-quadrant shunt active filter achieves better output voltage regulation compared to other topologies and can be used as grid interface

Modelamiento y desarrollo de un rectificador Boost PFC sin puente

RESUMEN: Este artículo propone un modelo para rectificadores elevadores PFC (Power Factor Correction por sus siglas en inglés) sin puente para propósitos de control y basado en el análisis del promedio de pequeña señal. A partir de las leyes circuitales, cuatro modos de operación son definidos y explicados, asegurando una relación entre las variables físicas del convertidor. Basados en el modelo propuesto, dos lazos cerrados de control compuestos por controladores lineales Proporcionales e Integrales (PI) son propuestos. Algunas consideraciones de diseño para dimensionar los elementos reactivos son incluidas, de tal forma que se obtienen valores mínimos para su inductancia y capacitancia. Se presenta la implementación de un prototipo de 900 W con resultados experimentales que permite validar y reafirmar el modelo propuesto. Los resultados experimentales demuestran que el uso del convertidor PFC permite elevar el factor de potencia FP a 0,99 o más y reducir el THDi (Total Harmonic Distortion of the Current por sus siglas en Inglés) a 3,9 %, además de controlar el bus DC en la salida. Se verifica experimentalmente que el convertidor PFC desarrollado está de acuerdo con los estándares de calidad de la potencia EN 61000-3-2 (IEC 1000-3-2).ABSTRACT: This paper proposes a model of the bridgeless PFC (Power Factor Correction) boost rectifier for control purposes based on an averaged small-signal analysis. From circuital laws, four operation modes are defined and explained, ensuring a relationship of physical variables in the converter. Based on the proposed model, two-loop cascade control structures composed of Proportional-Integral (PI) lineal controllers are proposed. Design consideration for dimensioning reactive elements is included, providing minimum values for their inductance and capacitance. Implementation of a laboratory prototype of 900 W and experimental results are presented to validate and reaffirm the proposed model. Experimental results demonstrate that the use of the bridgeless PFC boost converter model allows the Power Factor (PF) to be elevated up to 0.99, to reduce the THDi (Total Harmonic Distortion of the Current) to 3.9% and to control the DC voltage level on output. Compliance of standards of power quality EN 61000-3-2 (IEC 1000-3-2) are experimentally verified

High Step-Down Bridgeless Sepic/Cuk PFC Rectifiers With Improved Efficiency and Reduced Current Stress

In this article, two high step-down bridgeless power factor correction rectifiers based on the switched inductor network (SIN) are introduced. The proposed rectifiers employ the SIN to provide high step-down voltage gain with a higher duty cycle than the competitors. They also offer higher efficiency, lower current stress, and total peak switching device powers. A thorough and straightforward design algorithm in the discontinuous conduction mode is provided that ensures a unity power factor and a low total harmonic distortion with a simple control scheme. As a demonstration of the superior performance of the proposed rectifiers, a 300-W high-gain sepic rectifier setup with 48Vdc output voltage from a 230Vrms/50Hz source is built in the laboratory

Bridgeless Step/Up Unity Power Factor Rectifier for High Voltage Applications

Power electronic devices with front- end rectifier are widely used in computer, communication and electric vehicle industries. These rectifiers are nonlinear in nature and generate current harmonics which pollute utility power. International harmonic standards (e.g., IEC 61000-3-2 and EN 61000-3-2) have been put in place to confine power pollution. These standards limit the current harmonics generated by loads to a specified threshold depending on load power and application. In other words, a high power factor is required. Power supplies with active power factor correction (PFC) techniques are becoming necessary for many types of electronic equipment to meet the harmonic regulations and standards. However, classical PFC schemes have lower efficiency due to significant losses in the diode bridge. Several bridgeless topologies have been introduced to decrease diode bridge conduction losses. Most of the step-up PFC rectifiers utilize boost converter at their front end due to its natural PFC capability. In this thesis, a new bridgeless PFC topology based on Cuk converter is presented. Similar to Cuk converter, the proposed topology offers several advantages in PFC applications, such as easy implementation of transformer isolation, inherent inrush current limitation during start-up and overload conditions, and lower electromagnetic interference (EMI). These advantages make the proposed topology a viable solution for high voltage DC loads such as electric vehicle battery charger. Chapter III presents steady state analysis for the proposed rectifier. The rectifier is analyzed only during the positive half of the line frequency due to symmetry. Design procedure, simulation and measurements to verify the capability of the rectifier are presented in Chapter IV. Harmonics content and efficiency of the proposed rectifier versus conventional Cuk full bridge PFC rectifier are also presented

Power Interface Design and System Stability Analysis for 400 V DC-Powered Data Centers

The demands of high performance cloud computation and internet services have increased in recent decades. These demands have driven the expansion of existing data centers and the construction of new data centers. The high costs of data center downtime are pushing designers to provide high reliability power supplies. Thus, there are significant research questions and challenges to design efficient and environmentally friendly data centers with address increasing energy prices and distributed energy developments. This dissertation work aims to study and investigate the suitable technologies of power interface and system level configuration for high efficiency and reliable data centers. A 400 V DC-powered data center integrated with solar power and hybrid energy storage is proposed to reduce the power loss and cable cost in data centers. A cascaded totem-pole bridgeless PFC converter to convert grid ac voltage to the 400 V dc voltage is proposed in this work. Three main control strategies are developed for the power converters. First, a model predictive control is developed for the cascaded totem-pole bridgeless PFC converter. This control provides stable transient performance and high power efficiency. Second, a power loss model based dual-phase-shift control is applied for the efficiency improvement of dual-active bridge converter. Third, an optimized maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control for solar power and a hybrid energy storage unit (HESU) control are given in this research work. The HESU consists of battery and ultracapacitor packs. The ultracapacitor can improve the battery lifetime and reduce any transients affecting grid side operation. The large signal model of a typical solar power integrated datacenter is built to analyze the system stability with various conditions. The MATLAB/Simulink™-based simulations are used to identify the stable region of the data center power supply. This can help to analyze the sensitivity of the circuit parameters, which include the cable inductance, resistance, and dc bus capacitance. This work analyzes the system dynamic response under different operating conditions to determine the stability of the dc bus voltage. The system stability under different percentages of solar power and hybrid energy storage integrated in the data center are also investigated