An Improved Three-Input DC-DC Boost Converter for Hybrid PV/FC/Battery and Bidirectional Load as Backup System for Smart Home

Abstract

An improved non-isolated three-input DC-DC boost converter is proposed in this paper. The proposed topology has the capability of optimizing the energy conversion within the smart homes. The recommended structure is designed for flexible energy systems such as smart homes, smart cities, and electric vehicles. The suggested structure has employed a boost type converter as well as multi-input and single output (MISO) converter along with renewable sources. The proposed converter consists of two unidirectional input power ports and two bidirectional ports for a storage element in an integrated structure. The proposed converter has several input sources with different voltage levels which are fixed at mid voltage ranges. Also, it includes a step-up gain to boost voltage to higher ranges by a gain cell. In order to optimally supply the output load and charge or discharge the battery storage, photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell (FC) along with bidirectional loads could be exclusively or simultaneously employed as power resources. The main feature of the proposed converter is presented as follows: flexible bidirectional load can be charged at home during the daytime, while it could be discharged at nights when the demand is the maximum in which the system is usually faced with overload. To verify the performance of the proposed structure, simulations are carried out using PSCAD/EMTDC software and the results are presented to prove the practicality of proposed algorithm in covering renewable resources and dynamically managing energy consumption.