A Modular Step-Up DC–DC Converter Based on Dual-Isolated SEPIC/Cuk for Electric Vehicle Applications

Ahmed Darwish () and George A. Aggidis ()
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Ahmed Darwish: School of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
George A. Aggidis: School of Engineering, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 1, 1-24

Abstract: Fuel cells (FCs) offer several operational advantages when integrated as a power source in electric vehicles (EVs). Since the voltage of these cells is typically low, usually less than 1 V, the power conversion system requires a DC–DC converter capable of providing a high voltage conversion ratio to match the input voltage of the motor propulsion system, which can exceed 400 V and reach up to 800 V. The modular DC–DC boost converter proposed in this paper is designed to achieve a high voltage step-up ratio for the input FC voltages through the use of isolated series-connecting boosting submodules connected. The power electronic topology employed in the submodules (SMs) is designed to provide a flexible output voltage while maintaining a continuous input current from the fuel cells with minimal current ripple to improve the FC’s performance. The proposed step-up modular converter provides several benefits including scalability, better controllability, and improved reliability, especially in the presence of partial faults. Computer simulations using MATLAB/SIMULINK ® software (R2024a) have been used to study the feasibility of the proposed converter when connected to a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). Also, experimental results using a 1 kW prototype composed of four SMs have been obtained to validate the performance of the proposed converter.

Keywords: fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV); multilevel converters; bidirectional converters; isolated DC–DC converter (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: 2025
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