Symmetric Flying-capacitor Boost Converter for Medium-voltage Photovoltaic Applications
Conference: PCIM Europe 2024 - International Exhibition and Conference for Power Electronics, Intelligent Motion, Renewable Energy and Energy Management
06/11/2024 - 06/13/2024 at Nürnberg, Germany
doi:10.30420/566262078
Proceedings: PCIM Europe 2024
Pages: 10Language: englishTyp: PDF
Authors:
Alves Rodrigues, Luis Gabriel; Piquet-Boisson, Guillaume; Bier, Anthony; Revel, Arnaud; Catellani, Stephane
Abstract:
Photovoltaic (PV) energy is seen today as an essential energy source to achieve a carbon-neutral society. With that purpose, great pressure exists in terms of energy costs (€/MWh). In utility-scale PV systems, the increase of system voltages beyond low-voltage standards are being studied. In this paper, a novel medium-voltage DC/DC boost converter is proposed, capable of operating with 3 kV PV strings. The investigated topology is the 5-level symmetric flying-capacitor equipped with 1.2 kV/16 mOmega SiC MOSFETs. Experimental switching characterization results are provided and the main design aspects of the 80 kW SiC-based prototype are discussed. The estimated peak and European efficiencies are 99.5 and 99.33%, respectively.