Multi-Level Multi-Input Converter for Hybrid Renewable Energy Generators

Salvatore Foti, Antonio Testa, Salvatore De Caro, Luigi Danilo Tornello, Giacomo Scelba and Mario Cacciato
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Salvatore Foti: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
Antonio Testa: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
Salvatore De Caro: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
Luigi Danilo Tornello: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica Elettronica e Informatica, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Giacomo Scelba: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica Elettronica e Informatica, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Mario Cacciato: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica Elettronica e Informatica, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: A three-phase multi-level multi-input power converter topology is presented for grid-connected applications. It encompasses a three-phase transformer that is operated on the primary side in an open-end winding configuration. Thus, the primary winding is supplied on one side by a three-phase N-level neutral point clamped inverter and, on the other side, by an auxiliary two-level inverter. A key feature of the proposed approach is that the N-level inverter is able to perform independent management of N − 1 input power sources, thus avoiding the need for additional dc/dc power converters in hybrid multi-source systems. Moreover, it can manage an energy storage system connected to the dc-bus of the two-level inverter. The N-level inverter operates at a low switching frequency and can be equipped with very low on-state voltage drop Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) devices, while the auxiliary inverter is instead operated at low voltage according to a conventional high-frequency two-level Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique and can be equipped with very low on-state resistance Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) devices. Simulations and experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach and its good performance in terms of grid current harmonic content and overall efficiency.

Keywords: multi-level inverter; multi-input converter; renewable energy sources; maximum power point tracking; solar power; wind power; open-end winding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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