Converter for Sporadic Micro Power Generation Systems

Abstract

In this paper, a novel convertor for Micro power generation systems (MPGS) is proposed. These MPGS are powered by micro sources such as wind turbines, micro hydro, solar PV systems, microbial fuel cells, ground source heat pumps, and micro combined heat and power installations. High boost dc-dc converters are usually used up to step from low voltage to high voltage gain can achieve by the use of switched-capacitor and voltage-lift techniques. The proposed converter adds two capacitors and two diodes on the secondary side of the mutual inductor to achieve a high step-up voltage gain. The mutual inductor can charge the two capacitors in parallel during the switch-off period and discharge them in series during the switch-on period. However, the leakage inductor of the mutual inductor may cause high power loss and high voltage spike on the switch. Thus, a passive clamping circuit is needed to clamp the voltage level of the main switch and to recycle the energy of the leakage inductor. Simulated results are discussed on operating principle and the steady state analyses. Simulated model is developed in MATLAB/Simulink. Finally, simulated circuit with 24-V input voltage, 450-V output voltage is implemented to verify the performance of the proposed converter. The experimental results have confirmed that high efficiency and high step up voltage gain can be achieved.