Analysis of an Independent Double Boost Interleaved Converter in a Renewable Energy Application

Abstract

In this paper a brief analysis has been carried out targeting a DC-DC step-up converter used within renewable energy applications. The converter topology involved is called as an “independent double boost interleaved converter” (IDBIC) with three-level output. The operation mode of the proposed power electronics conversion stage has been analyzed in the context of a photovoltaic application. The converter is used (in the present application) as an interfacing stage between three PV modules connected in series and the deserved load. An MPPT algorithm was also implemented as the control law that drives the application, in order to extract the maximum power from the solar panels array. A series of tests were performed in two study cases: In first case an off-line co-simulation using Plexim—PLECS and MATLAB—Simulink has been done. In second case an on-line Real-Time, Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP) simulation using C2000 F28069M Texas Instruments DSP with HOTLINK jTAG connection to the host computer that runs Altair/Solid Thinking Embed (formerly known as VisSim) as RCP development environment has been made. The resulting current and voltage waveforms for different cases of solar irradiation values were represented and analyzed. Also, the efficiency of the power stage was determined at different levels of solar irradiation.