Abstract
To improve the voltage gain of step-up converters, the cascaded technique is considered as a possible solution in this paper. By considering the concept of cascading two Z-source networks in a conventional boost converter, the proposed topology takes the advantages of both impedance source and cascaded converters. By applying some modifications, the proposed converter provides high voltage gain while the voltage stress of the switch and diodes is still low. Moreover, the low input current ripple of the converter makes it absolutely appropriate for photovoltaic applications in expanding the lifetime of PV panels. After analyzing the operation principles of the proposed converter, we present the simulation and experimental results of a 100 W prototype to verify the proposed converter performance.
Highlights
Given the lack of energy and the climate changes due to increasing fossil fuel consumption over the last few decades, using renewable energies could be a way to help the planet Earth survive in a future energy crisis [1]
The output voltage of photovoltaic (PV) cells are relatively low, applying high step-up DC–DC converters can lead to increasing the voltage level without connecting in series numerous PV panels to enhance the operation of photovoltaic systems, especially in low-power applications [2]
Research on high step-up converters in recent years has led to the present diverse topologies that are used to resolve existing drawbacks such as high voltage stress of semiconductor devices, reverse-recovery problem of diodes, and intense spike on switches which mostly appear in conventional boost converters by increasing the duty cycle [3,4]
Summary
Given the lack of energy and the climate changes due to increasing fossil fuel consumption over the last few decades, using renewable energies could be a way to help the planet Earth survive in a future energy crisis [1]. By increasing the leakage inductance, the reverse-recovery problem of diodes can be reduced effectively due to inserting coupled inductors, the leakage energy induces high voltage spikes across the semiconductor switches. In [10], a three-level boost converter was proposed by employing coupled inductors to increase the voltage gain and an active clamp to recycle the leakage inductance energy of the coupled inductors It can be observed how incorporating step-up techniques can appropriately influence the operation of different step-up topologies. Investigation in different types of high step-up converters resulted in the proposal of a novel impedance source converter by cascading two Z-source networks and employing switched-capacitor-inductor cells in order to obtain a converter with high voltage gain ratio, low voltage stress on semiconductor devices, and low input current ripple, as expected from impedance source.
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