Multi-Input DC-DC Converter for Hybrid

Renewable Energy Generation System

M. A. Rosli*, N. Z. Yahaya** and Z. Baharudin***

Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Bandar Seri Iskandar, Tronoh 31750 Perak, MALAYSIA
*Email: mohdazman_rosli@yahoo.com
**Email: norzaihar_yahaya@petronas.com.my
***Email: zuhairb@petronas.com.my

Abstract—This paper proposes a development of a Multi- converters/inverters for the PV and WT are used for each
input DC-DC Converter (MIDC) for Hybrid Renewable Energy source [5]. For simplicity, the Multi-input DC-DC Converter
Generation System (HREGS). The aim is to reduce the number (MIDC) is proposed to save space size with less cost.
of power converter and cost. The proposed MIDC consists of a
DC-DC converter and a single phase full bridge DC-AC inverter. The objective is to propose a MIDC for hybrid PV, WT,
The renewable energy (RE) sources such as photovoltaic (PV) HFC and BT power integration system. It has the ability to
array, wind turbine (WT), hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) and battery reduce the number of converter and deliver power to the load
bank (BT) are selected as the input power sources to the system. individually or simultaneously.
The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is also used to
operate PV array and WT sources at its maximum power by
using the simple Perturbation and Observation (P&O) algorithm. II. OPERATION PRINCIPLES OF THE MULTI
The optimum power of HFC is controlled by Proton Exchange
Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). The proposed MIDC has been
INPUT DC-DC CONVERTER
simulated by NI Multisim 12.0 software and its operations The integration of hybrid RE energy sources by using
discussed thoroughly. separated input converter leads to relatively complex
configuration, high cost and low integration. Alternatively,
Keywords — power converter; power inverter; photovoltaic MIDC has given attention to the design simplicity, power
array; wind turbine; hydrogen fuel cell; battery bank; hybrid density improvement and to a cost system [6]. Fig. 1 shows
renewable energy the block diagram of proposed MIDC for HREGS. It consists
of a three input power converter and a single phase full bridge
I. INTRODUCTION power inverter.
The development of Renewable Energy (RE) sources such
as Photovoltaic (PV), Wind Turbine (WT) and Hydrogen Fuel
Cell (HFC) has continuously increased recently. The fossil
resources which make up crude oil and gas are almost
exhausted. The environmental concerns on the other hand such
as global warming are becoming increasingly serious and
require significant attention. Therefore, RE sources are the
answer to these since they are available, sustainable and have
no or small impact on the environment [1]. Interestingly, the
cost of the PV, WT and HFC are expected to decrease in future
with the development of RE technologies.
In Malaysia, RE sources such as PV and WT has become a
serious consideration because of their potentials. The energy
efficiency and RE under the Eight Malaysia Plan (2001-2005)
and Ninth Malaysian Plan (2006-2010) focused on bringing
RE to be significantly contributors of energy resources. This Fig. 1. Block diagram of proposed multi-input dc-dc converter.
leads to further reduce the dependency on petroleum [2].
The DC voltage from RE sources will be controlled using
To solve this problem, a Hybrid Renewable Energy Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) scheme with P&O MPPT
Generation System (HREGS) consisting of multiple energy algorithm. The MPPT controller is applied to generate
sources is proposed. The main advantage to enhance the maximum power from the PV and WT either individually or
reliability of the system used and increase power delivered to simultaneously. Then, the DC voltage output from MIDC will
the load [3]. However, in conventional system, each source be regulated via single phase full bridge power inverter with
requires a single input converter/inverter, leading to a complex Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) controller to
architecture and higher in cost [4]. Usually, two separate achieve power flow balance.

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 III. MULTI INPUT DC-DC CONVERTER AND
CONTROL STRATEGIES
The proposed MIDC topology has one transformer primary
windings which can deliver power to the load individually or
simultaneously. It can also lower voltage stresses on the power
switches. Fly-back converter used in this work has electrical
isolation provided by high frequency isolation transformer on
the second winding on the inductor. The advantages including
simplest isolated topology and thus gives the lowest cost, least
number of powers component and easy to implement [3].
Fig. 2. Isolated multi-input fly-back converter topology.
The proposed MIDC is shown in Fig. 2. The converter
uses the principle of magnetic coupling to combine multiple
input sources. The output from this converter will be fed to
DC-AC inverter before delivering power to the AC loads. The
MIDC has nine modes of operations which is shown in Table I.
These operating modes are employed to feed the load by
optimization of the energy obtained from the RE sources.
TABLE I. 9-MODES OF MULTI INPUT DC-DC CONVERTER
a.
Note: B = blocking and F = forward
Regulating the RE power is controlled by duty cycle of the
proposed converter. The maximum power point provided by
VPV and VWT can be controlled by the duty cycle δ1 and δ2 of
the power switches Q1 and Q2 respectively. The duty cycle δ3
of the power switches Q3 is responsible to adjust the VFC into
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optimal range. Assuming that δ1 is larger than δ2, and δ2 is
larger than δ3, the output voltage Vo can be expressed as
(1)
The input currents of three input sources can be obtained as
(2)
(3)
(4)
where, Ts is a switching period.
For the control strategies, the MIDC has to achieve the
output voltage regulation and better power generation of the
three input RE sources. For the PV array and WT, more
energy has to be extracted as much as possible. Fig. 3 shows
Fig. 3. Block diagram of the MIDC control system.
the control block diagram of MIDC, which includes the output
current regulator, output voltage regulator, PWM circuit and
driver circuit. Iin1_ref is determined by MPPT controller to
serve as the reference output current of the PV and Iin1 is the
sampled output current of the PV. Vo_ref is the output
reference voltage and Vo is the output feedback voltage. The
output signals of the PWM Circuit 1, PWM Circuit 2 and
PWM Circuit 3 are the driving signal to Q1, Q2 and Q3
respectively. The final output signal is generated at Q4.
IV. POWER INVERTER
In order to convert electric power to AC form, the DC
output of MIDC is inverted it into a single phase full bridge
DC-AC inverter. Fig. 4 depicts the equivalent circuit of a
typical single phase full bridge DC-AC inverter for hybrid
renewable energy integration system. The inverter will inject a
sinusoidal current into the AC mains and the sinusoidal AC
current is generated by the SPWM controller.
 Fig. 4. The equivalent circuit for single phase full bridge dc-ac inverter.

V. SIMULATION RESULTS
Fig. 5 shows the output voltage and current of MIDC for
the single input RE source. Fig. 6 depicts the output voltage
and output current waveforms when the power is delivered to
Fig. 7. Output voltage and current for three inputs RE sources.
the load by two RE input sources. In this case, the power has
increased when two sources are used. Fig. 7 shows the output
voltage and output current waveforms when three RE input
sources power up the loads simultaneously. Fig. 8 shows the
MIDC duty cycle of the switching devices. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10
show the output voltage and waveforms of the power inverter
when all inputs are applied.

Fig. 8. Duty cycle of the switching devices.

Fig. 9. Square wave inverter output voltage and current.

Fig. 5. Output voltage and current for single input RE source.

Fig. 10. Pure sine wave inverter output voltage and current (Harmonic filter).

Fig. 6. Output voltage and current for double input RE sources.
VI. CONCLUSION
A multi-input DC-DC converter for the hybrid PV/wind
power/hydrogen fuel cell and battery power system is
explained. Power from the PV array, wind turbine or the
hydrogen fuel cell can be delivered to the AC load
individually or simultaneously. P&O method is adopted to
realize the MPPT algorithm for the PV and the WT while
PEMFC is used to set the power of HFC in optimum operation

285
range. The simulation results at different operating conditions
are shown to verify the performance of the proposed converter
system works efficiently. It is justified the implementation of
MPPT and PEMFC is simple and can be easily constructed to
achieve an acceptable efficiency level of the PV, WT and
HFC.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to thank the Universiti Teknologi
PETRONAS (UTP) for providing financial support and
sponsors for the publication of this work.
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