Full-Bridge ZCS-Converter-Based High-Gain Modular DC-DC Converter for PV Integration With Medium-Voltage DC Grids

Abstract

This paper presents a high-gain modular input-parallel output-series dc-dc converter for photovoltaic integration with medium-voltage dc grids. A new full-bridge zero-current-switching (FB-ZCS) converter proposed in this paper is used as a fundamental building block. Existing FB-ZCS converters utilize transformer leakage inductance and a shunt-connected resonant capacitor for achieving smooth resonant current commutation and ZCS. The shunt-connected capacitor requires dedicated charging interval in every switching cycle and stores full-load-rated resonant energy at all load/input conditions, resulting in significant duty-cycle loss. Moreover, it suffers from energy leakage through transformer winding and requires overrating. All these factors adversely impact the operation range of the converter, which is important for achieving a wide maximum power point tracking range. Novel improvements in the proposed converter include minimization of duty-cycle loss and resonant capacitor leakage and the realization of the current-adaptive resonant energy storage mechanism, without using additional switches or auxiliary circuits. Operation of the proposed converter is presented and validated with simulation and experimental results.