Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Isolated Full Bridge Boost DC-DC Converter Designed for Bidirectional Operation of Fuel Cells/Electrolyzer Cells in Grid-Tie Applications

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    4604 Downloads (Orbit)

    Abstract

    Energy production from renewable energy sources is continuously varying, for this reason energy storage is becoming more and more important as the percentage of green energy increases. Newly developed fuel cells can operate in reverse mode as electrolyzer cells; therefore, they are becoming an
    attractive technology for energy storage grid-tie applications. In this application dc-dc converter optimization is very challenging due to the large voltage range that the converter is expected to operate. Moreover, the fuel-electrolyzer cell side of the converter is characterized by low voltage and high current. Dc-dc converter efficiency plays a fundamental role in the overall system efficiency since processed energy is always flowing through the converter; for this reason, loss analysis and optimization are a key component of the converter design. The paper presents an isolated full bridge boost dc-dc converter (IFBBC) designed for this new application focusing on losses analysis. The system topology is briefly discussed and the major concerns related to the system, cells stacks and converter operating points are analyzed. The dc-dc converter losses are modeled and presented in detail; the analysis is validated on adc-dc converter prototype rated at 6 kW 30-80 V 0-80 A on the low voltage side and 700-800 V on the high voltage side (for a grid-tie application). The prototype is based on fully planar magnetic, Si MOSFETs, Si IGBTs and SiC diodes; efficiencies up to ~96.5% and ~97.8% were demonstrated depending on the
    converter operating point.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of EPE '13-ECCE Europe
    Number of pages10
    PublisherIEEE
    Publication date2013
    ISBN (Print)978-90-75815-17-7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    EventEPE'13 ECCE Europe: 15th Conference on Power Electronics and Applications - Lille, France
    Duration: 3 Sept 20135 Sept 2013

    Conference

    ConferenceEPE'13 ECCE Europe
    Country/TerritoryFrance
    CityLille
    Period03/09/201305/09/2013

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
      SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    Keywords

    • Isolated Full Bridge Boost Converter (IFBBC)
    • Loss Analysis
    • Fuel and Electrolyzer Cell
    • Power Semiconductors
    • Energy Storage

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Isolated Full Bridge Boost DC-DC Converter Designed for Bidirectional Operation of Fuel Cells/Electrolyzer Cells in Grid-Tie Applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this