Design, development, and reliability assessment of dual output converters for SPV based DC nanogrid

Abstract

A DC nanogrid for residential and commercial purposes supplies both AC and DC output voltages at different utilization levels to meet the load requirements. In this paper, the author(s) have developed a Solar Photovoltaic based DC nanogrid using dual output converter configurations which aims to improve both reliability and efficiency. The converter configurations are developed and analyzed for different levels of DC and AC output voltages in a nanogrid. Further, the performance characterization models of these converters such as sensitivity and reliability models are developed to test the robustness and effects when there is parametric variation. Markov reliability models are developed to estimate the mean time to system failure, as assessed in the Military Handbook for Reliability Prediction of Electronic Equipment (MIL-HDBK-217F). Also, the developed converter configurations are investigated in detail using MATLAB along with Simulink toolbox. Finally, the converter configurations are experimentally validated using a 100 W prototype, built, and tested in the laboratory for practical applications. The prototype model is a basic building block for further study and practical implementation for Power System designers and is useful in the areas where there is no grid. Also, the developed dual output-based system has improved energy security and reliability.