An enhanced DC-DC converter is proposed in this paper, based on the combination of the Cuk and SEPIC converters, which is well-suited for solar photovoltaic (PV) applications. The converter uses only one switch (which is ground-referenced, so simple gate drive circuitry may be used), yet provides dual outputs in the form of a bipolar DC bus. The bipolar output from the DC-DC converter is able to send power to the grid via any inverter with a unipolar or bipolar DC input, and leakage currents can be eliminated if the latter type is used without using lossy DC capacitors in the load current loop. The proposed converter uses integrated magnetics cores to couple the input and output inductors, which significantly reduces the input current ripple and hence greatly improves the power extracted from the solar PV system. The design methodology along with simulation, experimental waveforms, and efficiency measurements of a 4 kW DC-DC converter are presented to prove the concept of the proposed converter. Further, a 1 kW inverter is also developed to demonstrate the converter's grid-connection potential.

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There is no doubt that the development of power electronics-based devices, such as STATCOMs, provides an invaluable learning experience for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. However, time constraints that typically surround university projects mean that students are usually forced to choose between a simulation-based study or a hardware based study. This paper investigates the use of low cost rapid development tools to facilitate very high level simulation-based and practical studies. The primary focus of this paper is on final year, electrical engineering capstone projects. A case study of such a project is presented, where a STAT COM that performs both power factor correction and active harmonic cancellation was modelled, simulated and constructed.

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