Integrated Power Conditioner Research Articles

Integrated DC ‑ AC Converter as Power Conditioner for Fuel Cell Based System

This paper presents a new integrated power conditioner topology for power supply systems based on fuel cells. The proposed converter is based in the ZVS active clamp full bridge boost converter but controlled with sinusoidal pulse width modulation technique. The proposed fuel cell power conditioner is intended for stand-alone ac power generation and low voltage fuel cell input. The main characteristic of the proposed topology is the use of fewer components when compared to the conventional two-stage power conditioners approach, so the cost is lower. In addition, the total efficiency is increased by reducing the power processing stages. Therefore, it is expected that the proposed integrated power conditioner topology could be effectively utilized for fuel cells applications. The paper presents a compressive analysis of the main characteristics of the fuel cell which will determine the design parameters for the power conditioner. Also, detailed operations of the integrated topology is introduced. In order to validate the proposed approach a 900 watts prototype was implemented. The paper presents experimental results under several operating conditions.

An Ultracapacitor Integrated Power Conditioner for Intermittency Smoothing and Improving Power Quality of Distribution Grid

Penetration of various types of distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar, wind, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) onto the distribution grid is on the rise. There is a corresponding increase in power quality problems and intermittencies on the distribution grid. In order to reduce the intermittencies and improve the power quality of the distribution grid, an ultracapacitor (UCAP) integrated power conditioner is proposed in this paper. UCAP integration gives the power conditioner active power capability, which is useful in tackling the grid intermittencies and in improving the voltage sag and swell compensation. UCAPs have low energy density, high-power density, and fast charge/discharge rates, which are all ideal characteristics for meeting high-power low-energy events like grid intermittencies, sags/swells. In this paper, UCAP is integrated into dc-link of the power conditioner through a bidirectional dc-dc converter that helps in providing a stiff dc-link voltage. The integration helps in providing active/reactive power support, intermittency smoothing, and sag/swell compensation. Design and control of both the dc-ac inverters and the dc-dc converter are discussed. The simulation model of the overall system is developed and compared with the experimental hardware setup.

Design and Implementation of a Simulator for Photovoltaic Modules

Proposed in this paper is the development of a photovoltaic module simulator, one capable of running an output characteristic simulation under normal operation according to various electrical parameters specified and exhibiting multiple advantages of being low cost, small sized, and easy to implement. In comparison with commercial simulation tools, Pspice and Solar Pro, the simulator developed demonstrates a comparableI-Vas well as aP-Voutput characteristic curve. In addition, a series-parallel configuration of individual modules constitutes a photovoltaic module array, which turns into a photovoltaic power generation system with an integrated power conditioner.

The microwave power module: a versatile RF building block for high-power transmitters

The microwave power module (MPM) is described. This miniature radio frequency (RF) power amplifier combines a low-noise high-gain monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) solid-state amplifier (SSA) driver with a high-efficiency reduced-gain vacuum power booster helix traveling-wave tube (TWT) and integrated power conditioner (IPC). Progress on the development of 100-200-W power booster TWTs and MPMs covering the 2-40-GHz frequency range is discussed, giving examples of demonstrated RF performance. MPM advantages are contrasted to conventional TWTA and SSPA approaches, along with a discussion of various MPM-based transmitters for architectures. Numerous applications of MPM transmitters for radar, electronic countermeasure, communications, and space have been identified with widespread implementation expected to take place in the near future.