An Evolutionary Algorithm-Based PWM Strategy for a Hybrid Power Converter

Abstract

In the past years, the interest in direct current to direct current converters has increased because of their application in renewable energy systems. Consequently, the research community is working on improving its efficiency in providing the required voltage to electronic devices with the lowest input current ripple. Recently, a hybrid converter which combines the boost and the Cuk converter in an interleaved manner has been introduced. The converter has the advantage of providing a relatively low input current ripple by a former strategy. However, it has been proposed to operate with dependent duty cycles, limiting its capacity to further decrease the input current ripple. Independent duty cycles can significantly reduce the input current ripple if the same voltage gain is achieved by an appropriate duty cycle combination. Nevertheless, finding the optimal duty cycle combination is not an easy task. Therefore, this article proposes a new pulse-width-modulation strategy for the hybrid interleaved boost-Cuk converter. The strategy includes the development of a novel mathematical model to describe the relationship between independent duty cycles and the input current ripple. The model is introduced to minimize the input current ripple by finding the optimal duty cycle combination using the differential evolution algorithm. It is shown that the proposed method further reduces the input current ripple for an operating range. Compared to the former strategy, the proposed method provides a more balanced power-sharing among converters.

High Hybrid Power Converter Performance Using Modern-Optimization-Methods-Based PWM Strategy

“…For example, photovoltaic panels and energy storage systems such as fuel cells provide a low output voltage (10-40 volts) but the photovoltaic inverters require at least 200 V. In photovoltaic applications, the DC/DC converter employs Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM-based) stepup or boost topology to increase the voltage. The PWM technique aims to periodically switch transistors for converter operation by comparing the reference voltage signal with a carrier wave to generate the duty cycle [6,7]. The commercial solution for maintaining good power density is to have both the DC/DC converter and the DC/AC inverter within a single solution package.…”

“…The commercial solution for maintaining good power density is to have both the DC/DC converter and the DC/AC inverter within a single solution package. The researchers are working to improve the performance of the DC/DC converter and the DC/AC inverter [1,6]. The power-electronics-based DC/DC converters [1,6] and different converters successfully work together, such as the interleaved boost converter.…”

“…Therefore, attention toward electrification of many industrial processes or equipment such as vehicles has elevated to reduce the consumption of fuels [1][2][3][4]. In addition, power distribution networks equipped with renewable energy sources or microgrid systems have been introduced as a solution to improve the power network quality by reducing power loss and air pollution compared with conventional centralized power generation [5][6][7]. A DC distributed power network has the benefit of avoiding and minimizing different AC problems such as frequency fluctuation and low power factor.…”

“…In the last few years, there has been an increase in the interest to improve the efficiency of DC converters to improve device and network performance. Recently, a hybrid converter consisting of a Boost and a Cuk converter has been introduced as a powerful and efficient converter for applications in a low-voltage network [6,7]. The hybrid converters have the benefit of generating a low-ripple current based on the former switching strategy.…”

“…In addition, the EO was proposed by Faramarzi et al, and was inspired by the control volume mass balance model [1][2][3][4]. The results of the proposed optimization algorithms indicated a more efficient converter and balanced power-sharing compared with conventional strategies and the literature on optimization algorithms such as Differential Evolution (DE) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) [6,7].…”