MULTI-INPUT DC-DC CONVERTER FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Nithya.k, Ramasamy.M

Abstract: A multi-input DC-DC boost converter is proposed to obtain power from several input sources and to supply the regulated output voltage to the load from the sources. The structure of Multiple-Input Converter (MIC) is simpler compared to the use of several single-input converters for each source. As the conventional source of energy is rapidly depleting and the cost of energy is rising, we turn towards renewable energy sources. Reason to choose renewable energy is because of its abundance and distribution throughout the earth. Input sources include renewable energy sources like Photovoltaic (PV) source and Wind source. As the power from renewable energy sources is intermittent, a storage element battery is used to provide uninterrupted supply to the load. The battery utilized is bidirectional in its power flow hence the converter topology enables the charging and discharging of the storage element through input power sources. MIC can deliver power either simultaneously from all of the input sources to the load or individually. MICs reduce the system size and cost by reducing the number of components. In addition some other advantages are the system is reliable and its dynamic performance due to centralized control. Three different operating modes of MIC are analyzed based on the power from the input sources and the battery operation. The closed loop operation of MIC is performed using PI controller. The system is suitable for applications such as hybrid automobile charging and in residential buildings. The performance of different operating modes and its control are simulated using MATLAB.

Keywords: Renewable energy sources, DC-DC converter and PI controller

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0319127