On the application of a three-phase two-switch DCM Boost rectifier in small-scale wind energy conversion system

Abstract

This paper presents the theoretical analysis and experimental results from a three-phase Boost-type rectifier operating in discontinuous conduction mode. The rectifier is suitable for applications in the electronic energy processing of small-scale wind energy conversion systems based on permanent magnetic synchronous generators. The rectifier can provide high power factor without the use of input current sensors and current control. Thus, the input currents have the same shape of input voltages and they are in phase with each respective voltage. Moreover, the rectifier has the benefits of reduced switch count, simplicity in the control system and PWM scheme. As disadvantages, due to the operation in discontinuous conduction mode, the rectifier can present low efficiency in high power and/or low input voltages specifications. Finally, experimental results from the three-phase rectifier with 48 V input voltage, 250 V output voltage, 20 kHz switching frequency and 1 kW output power are also presented.