A Comprehensive Review and Analytical Comparison of Non-Isolated DC-DC Converters for Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

The use of renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic, wind, and fuel cells is becoming increasingly prevalent due to a combination of environmental concerns and technological advancements, as well as decreasing production costs. Power electronics DC-DC converters play a key role in various applications, including hybrid energy systems, hybrid vehicles, aerospace, satellite systems, and portable electronic devices. These converters are used to convert power from renewable sources to meet the demands of the load, improving the dynamic and steady-state performance of green generation systems. This study presents a comparison of the most commonly used non-isolated DC-DC converters for fuel cell applications. The important factors considered in the comparison include voltage gain ratio, voltage switch stress, voltage ripple, efficiency, cost, and ease of implementation. Based on the comparison results, the converters have been grouped according to voltage level applications, with low voltage applications being best served by converters such as DBC, DuBC, TLBC, 2-IBC, 1st M-IBC, PSOL, SEPIC, and 1st M-SEPIC owing to their lower cost, smaller size, and reduced switch stress. Medium voltage applications are best suited to converters such as TBC, 1st M-TLBC, 2nd M-TLBC, 4-IBC, 1st M-IBC, 2nd M-IBC, 1st M-PSOL, 2nd M-PSOL, 1st M-SEPIC, and 2nd M-SEPIC, which offer higher efficiency. Finally, high voltage applications are best served by converters such as TBC, 1st M-TBC, 2nd M-IBC, 3rd M-IBC, 3rd M-PSOL, 4th M-PSOL, 2nd M-SEPIC, 3rd M-SEPIC, and 4th M-SEPIC.

A Comprehensive Performance Analysis of a 48-Watt Transformerless DC-DC Boost Converter Using a Proportional–Integral–Derivative Controller with Special Attention to Inductor Design and Components Reliability

“…The duty ratio "K" (0.5 or 50%) was achieved by Equation (1). Prior to determining the value of inductor "L", the ripple current of the converter (∆i L = 8 A) was computed using Equation (2).…”

“…In the dynamic field of power electronics, the demand for effective and versatile energy conversion has resulted in significant advances in converter technologies. DC-DC converters, in particular, are critical for enabling voltage conversion in a wide range of applications, including portable electronic devices, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles [1]. Figure 1 depicts the essential configuration of a power electronic converter platform, typically comprising two separate conversion stages known as the "Power" and "Control" stages [2].…”

Modeling, design and validation of DC-DC landsman converter for low-power electric vehicle battery charging applications

“…To analyze and compare, the Landsman topology with other popular buck-boost variants, it is necessary to review a few appropriate literature on battery charging converters [4], and applications of Landsman topology. The following paragraphs, provides a brief description of such topologies.…”