Dual-source inverter for hybrid PV–FC application

Abstract

Multi input–multi output Power electronic interface for hybrid energy resources has gathered much of interest. In this paper, a new configuration for cascade connection of two Z-Impedance networks is presented which is able to extract power from two separate low voltage energy sources such as photovoltaic panels and fuel cell stacks. The required load power can be shared between two sources which may have different low values. The power sharing is controlled by adjusting the shoot through duration and time shifting. The proposed converter includes the features of conventional Z-source converter such as voltage boost and shoot through immunity of the inverter. Steady state operation principles, switching methods and the main relations for power flow from two inputs to the output are derived. A prototype of the converter is built and tested for different operation modes. The results are compared with simulations and theoretical analysis which verify well performance of the system.