Search

The power produced in a photovoltaic (PV) system is highly dependent on meteorological conditions and the features of the connected load. Therefore, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods are crucial to optimize the power delivered. An MPPT method needs a DC-DC converter for its implementation. The proper selection of both the MPPT technique and the power converter for a given scenario is one of the main challenges since they directly influence the overall efficiency of the PV system. This paper presents an exhaustive study of the performance of four step-down/step-up DC-DC converter topologies: Buck-Boost, SEPIC, Zeta and Cuk, using three of the most commonly implemented MPPT techniques: incremental conductance (IncCond), perturb and observe (P&O) and fuzzy logic controller (FLC). Unlike other works available in the literature, this study compares and discusses the performance of each MPPT/converter combination in terms of settling time and tracking efficiency of MPPT algorithms, and the conversion efficiency of power converters. Furthermore, this work jointly considers the effects of incident radiation variations, the temperature of the PV panel and the connected load. The main contribution of this work, other than selecting the best combination of converter and MPPT strategy applied to typical PV systems with DC-DC power converters, is to formulate a methodology of analysis to support the design of efficient PV systems. The results obtained from simulations performed in Simulink/MATLAB show that the FLC/Cuk set consistently achieved the highest levels of efficiency, and the FLC/Zeta combination presents the best transient behavior. The findings can be used as a valuable reference for the decision to implement a particular MPPT/converter configuration among those included in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power produced in a photovoltaic (PV) system is highly dependent on meteorological conditions and the features of the connected load. Therefore, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods are crucial to optimize the power delivered. An MPPT method needs a DC-DC converter for its implementation. The proper selection of both the MPPT technique and the power converter for a given scenario is one of the main challenges since they directly influence the overall efficiency of the PV system. This paper presents an exhaustive study of the performance of four step-down/step-up DC-DC converter topologies: Buck-Boost, SEPIC, Zeta and Cuk, using three of the most commonly implemented MPPT techniques: incremental conductance (IncCond), perturb and observe (P&O) and fuzzy logic controller (FLC). Unlike other works available in the literature, this study compares and discusses the performance of each MPPT/converter combination in terms of settling time and tracking efficiency of MPPT algorithms, and the conversion efficiency of power converters. Furthermore, this work jointly considers the effects of incident radiation variations, the temperature of the PV panel and the connected load. The main contribution of this work, other than selecting the best combination of converter and MPPT strategy applied to typical PV systems with DC-DC power converters, is to formulate a methodology of analysis to support the design of efficient PV systems. The results obtained from simulations performed in Simulink/MATLAB show that the FLC/Cuk set consistently achieved the highest levels of efficiency, and the FLC/Zeta combination presents the best transient behavior. The findings can be used as a valuable reference for the decision to implement a particular MPPT/converter configuration among those included in this study.

The purpose of the article is a comparison between DC/DC topologies with a wide input voltage range. The research also explains how the implementation of GaN E-HEMT transistors influences the overall efficiency of the converter. The article presents a process of selection of the most efficient topology for stabilization of the battery storage voltage (9 V - 36 V) at the level of 24 V, which enables the usage of ultracapacitor energy storage in a wide range of applications, e.g., in automated electric vehicles. In order to choose the most suitable topology, simulation and laboratory research were conducted. The two most promising topologies were selected for verification in the experimental model. Each of the converters was constructed in two versions: with Si and with GaN E-HEMT transistors. The paper presents experimental research results that consist of precise power loss measurements and thermal analysis. The performance with an increased switching frequency of converters was also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emphasis of this paper is to develop robust control using H∞ control method for DC/DC converters namely buck, boost, buck-boost and cuk. Since DC/DC converters are nonlinear in nature classical control approaches fails to provide the robust behavior. In this paper a generalized and feasible H∞ algorithm is designed and implied to DC/DC converters. The developed H∞ controller is compared with sliding mode controller and PI based controller. The controller performance and stability were tested through extensive simulation of models on MATLAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new method to derive high voltage-gain step-up dc-dc power converters is presented in this paper. Four step-up dc-dc power converters are derived by a unique parallel-series combination of basic dc-dc power converters. The obtained high voltage-gain power converters have better efficiency than the ones that can be obtained obtained by using a conventional dc-dc boost power converter. Interleaving the combined converters can be used to further reduce the input current and output voltage ripples. Simulation and measurement results are included to show the validity of the proposed concept of high voltage-gain step-up dc-dc power converters [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]