High-gain-high-power (HGHP) DC-DC converter for DC microgrid applications: Design and testing

Abstract

The use of green energy sources to feed DC microgrids is gaining prominence over traditional centralised AC systems. DC microgrids are characterised by the use of intermediate DC-DC converter which acts as power conditioning units. Hence, the choice of an appropriate DC-DC converter becomes significant as the overall system efficiency is strongly dependent on the converter’s performance. This paper proposes a novel high gain high power (HGHP) DC-DC converter for DC microgrid, which is of one of the significant step forward in the development of DC microgrids. The suitability of the proposed HGHP DC-DC converter is demonstrated by experimental tests of the 60V/1.1kV, 3kW converter; test results validate the converter’s suitability for DC distribution. A significant number of performance parameters of the proposed converter is compared with state of the art converter topologies demonstrating the superior capabilities of the proposed converter. This paper also portrays the potential benefits that could be reaped by trending towards DC instead of existing AC system. The advantages and challenges to be confronted in the foreseeable future while implementing sustainable DC microgrids are also highlighted. Finally, this paper encapsulates renewable energy fed DC microgrid system as an appropriate, technically feasible, economically viable and competent solution for efficiently utilising the sustainable energy sources.