1.

0 INTRODUCTION

The main function of power electronics devices is to condition electrical power taken from a
power source to the form suitable for user loads. Hence, power electronics converters serve as
interface between user loads and the source. The converters are classified into AC-AC, AC-DC,
DC-AC and DC-DC converters. The classification is based on nature of the input source and
output load. For instance, a DC-DC converter is used to connect a dc input source to a dc load.
Power electronic converter circuits are generally composed of energy storing components such
as capacitors and inductors, control devices and semiconductor elements like diodes and
transistors. The semiconductor devices such as Bipolar Junctions Transistors (BJTs), Insulated
Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and Metal Oxide Silicon Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs)
are used as switches (Mousavi, 2013).
DC-DC converter, converts DC voltage from one level to another, the most common topologies
are the buck, boost, buck-boost and Sepic converters. A buck converter steps down a voltage,
producing a voltage lower than the input voltage. On the hand, boost converter steps up a
voltage, producing a voltage higher than the input voltage. A buck-boost converter steps a
voltage up or down, producing a voltage equal to or higher or lower than the input voltage. A
Sepic converter is used for similar applications as the buck-boost, but provides some advantages
in some applications
(Maker.io, 2016).
Many renewable energy sources such as wind energy and solar photovoltaic (PV) are now well
developed as the cost effective solution and are being widely used in many applications ( A.
bako et al., 2019). These energy sources are preferred for being environmental friendly. PV
energy has become one of the most promising sources of energy due to the fact that PV energy is
free and sustainable.
Besides this, PV is scalable from very small to very large and easy to integrate with existing
power converters [K. Bolcar, and K. Ardani, May 2011]. First the dc output voltage from the PV
array is given to the boost dc-dc converter which boosts the output voltage of the PV array as
well as it regulates its output voltage irrespective of the variation in solar radiation and
temperature.
The DC/DC converters are widely used in regulated switch mode DC power supplies. The input
of these converters is an unregulated DC voltage, which is obtained by PV array and therefore it
will be fluctuated due to changes in radiation and temperature. In these converters the average
DC output voltage must be controlled to be equated to the desired value although the input
voltage is changing. From the energy point of view, output voltage regulation in the DC/DC
converter is achieved by constantly adjusting the amount of energy absorbed from the source and
that injected into the load, which is in turn controlled by the relative durations of the absorption
and injection intervals [Wayuode O. IPEC 2000, Tokyo Japan]. These two basic processes of
energy absorption and injection constitute a switching cycle. Intuitively speaking, if the energy
storage capacity of the converter is too small or the switching period is relatively too long, then
the converter would have transmitted all the stored energy to the load before the next cycle
begins. This introduces an idling period immediately following the injection interval, during
which the converter is not performing any specific task [Konstantin Louganski, September 30 th,
1999, Blacksburg]. The converter can therefore operate in two different modes depending upon
its energy storage capacity and the relative length of the switching period. These two modes are
known as the discontinuous conduction and continuous modes.

1.1 PROBLEM OF THE STATEMENT

In recent years, renewable energy utilization has grown dramatically. However, the utilization of
such energy sources is constrained by the interfacing devices required to conditioned power from
these sources and make it suitable for user loads. DC–DC converters and inverters have been
designed and used for interfacing fuel cells and photovoltaic with the load (Ellabban & Abu-
Rub, 2016; Jurado, 2005; Peng, 2003; Tekin, Hissel, Péra, & Kauffmann, 2007; Tuckey & Krase,
2002; Vinnikov & Roasto, 2011). This and many other demands make the design of DC-DC
converters open and interesting challenge to power electronics industries and researchers.
Designing a DC-DC converter impose so much difficulties considering the nature of the input
voltage (DC). However, soft switching is possible by adding auxiliary circuit consisting of
resonant elements, passive and active components and switches to a basic DC-DC converter. The
auxiliary circuit is added to create a proper current and voltage conditions in the circuit (Forrai,
Funato, Yanagita, & Kato, 2005). Although resonant elements help to force the current/voltage
of a switch to zero prior to a switching transition they introduce high-current/voltage stresses in
the switch. Many converters have been discussed in the literature to address the additional
stresses imposed by the auxiliary circuits. For instance, the resonant capacitor is by passed for a
given time interval by using active switch, the output voltage can be regulated and controlled
(Wai, Duan, Lee, & Liu, 2005). Another method is by controlling the resonance period, the
output is regulated by using the controllable period called “extended-period” (Barbi, Julio,
Denizar, & Martins, 1990).
1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aims of this dissertation project was to fabricate and evaluate boost DC-DC converter based
photovoltaic application. The proposed converter aims for some features such as high voltage
gain, continuous input current and reduce stress on the power switch. In addition, the circuit
construction ensures the simplicity in design along with significant cost saving, since its
components are readily available and smaller in size compared to the off-self components.

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major objectives of this research are.

 To develop modelling variable DC output voltage using MATLAB/Simulink boost
converter.
 To develop Hardware for variable output voltage DC-DC boost converter.

The goals of this project are to design, build, demonstrate, and evaluate a novel, direct-current
(DC) converter for use in for PV power system applications, with several advantages when
compared to the current state-of-art. The system designed in this project will serve as part of a
residential-scale, or small commercial, PV power system. The interface for the PV modules and
inverter will be addressed as part of the design process. The study explore and inductor based
circuit which can produce an output voltage which is higher than the supplied voltage.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The DC-DC converter has some significances. These are:

 Conversion of DC input voltage Vs into a DC output voltage Vo.

 Regulation of DC output voltage against load and line variations.

 Provision of isolation between the input source and the load (if required).
  Protection of the supplied system and the input source from electromagnetic
interference. (Rashid, M. H., 2007)
 Evaluation of all the parameters associated with the converter based photovoltaic
application
The DC-DC converter is considered as the heart of the power supply, thus it will affect the
overall performance of the power supply system. The converter accepts DC and produces a
controlled DC output.

1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW

DC-DC Convertors
In many industrial applications, it is required to convert a fixed-voltage dc source into a variable-
voltage dc source. A DC-DC converter converts directly from dc to dc and is simply known as a
dc converter. A DC converter can be considered as DC equivalent to an AC transformer with
continuously variable turn’s ratio. Like transformer, it can be used to step down or step up a DC
voltage source. (Muhammad H. Rashid, 2004). DC converters widely used for traction motor in
electric automobiles, trolley cars, marine hoists, and forklift trucks and phoyovoltaic. They
provide smooth acceleration control, high efficiency, and fast dynamic response. DC converter
can be used in regenerative braking of dc motor to return energy bake into the supply, and this
feature results in energy saving for transportation system with frequent stop; and also are used, in
dc voltage regulation. There are many types of DC-DC convertor which is buck (step down)
converter, boost (step-up) converter, buck-boost (step up- step-down) convertor. (Muhammad H.
Rashid, 1993).
DC conversion is of great importance in many applications, starting from low power applications
to high power applications. The goal of any system is to emphasize and achieve the efficiency to
meet the system needs and requirements. Several topologies have been developed in this area,
but all these topologies can be considered as apart or a combination of the basic topologies which
are buck, boost and fly back (Rashid, M. H., 2007).
For low power levels, linear regulators can provide a very high-quality output voltage. For higher
power levels, switching regulators are used. Switching regulators use power electronic
semiconductor switches in ON and OFF states. Because there is a small power loss in those
states (low voltage across a switch in the on state, zero current through a switch in the off state),
switching regulators can achieve high efficiency energy conversion.

1.7 METHODOLOGY
1.7.1 Introduction
This chapter discusses the software and hardware development and implementation of the project
and procedures that are being used to develop the project including the equipment, tools and
processes used in the software and hardware development and implementation of the project.
The mythology process utilizes both software simulation and hardware construction. It is virtual
to simulate the system by using software to get the theoretical result before hardware designation
can be made. The selection of component for the hardware is also important in order to reduce
cost, increase the system efficiency and increase reliability of the circuit. The flowchart of this
project was begin by doing some research and observation.
1.7.2 Materials and their operations

The DC/DC boost converter only needs these external components: Inductor, Electronic switch,
Diode, input and output capacitor control block and Power MOSFET, for the evaluation the
equipment used in taking the measurements are Power meter and Multimeter. The converter can
therefore operate in the two different modes depending on its energy storage capacity and the
relative length of the switching period. These two operating modes are known as the
discontinuous conduction mode, DCM, and continuous conduction mode, CCM, corresponding
to the cases with and without an idling interval respectively.
1.7.2.1 Selection of the Semiconductor device
The main switching element has been chosen to handle the worst case current and voltage
stresses. The maximum voltage stress on the switching device occurs when the PV output
voltage is maximized.
1.7.2.2 Selection of the inductor
Large inductance values tend to increase the start-up time slightly while small inductance values
allow the coil current to ramp up to higher levels before the switch turns off. Inductors with a
ferrite core or equivalent are recommended. It should be ensured that the inductor’s saturation
current rating for highest efficiency is to be used a coil with low DC resistance. Boost inductance
is selected based on the maximum allowed ripple current at minimum duty cycle, D, at
maximum input voltage, Vinput. Given that the switching frequency, Fs, the boost inductor value
may be optimally determined to set the converter operating mode in the required load and line
range. The critical inductance is defined as the inductance at the boundary edge between
continuous and discontinuous modes.
1.7.2.3 Selection of the Diode
The boost diode reverse voltage rating is limited to the output voltage. The diode conducts when
the power switch is in the “OFF” state and provides a current path for the inductor to the output.
Similar to the IGBT's the worst–case peak current through the diode occurs at low line input
voltage and maximum load. Other important considerations in selecting the diode besides its
ability to block the required off–state voltage stress and have sufficient peak and average current
handling capability, is fast switching characteristics, low reverse–recovery, and low forward
voltage drop.
1.7.2.4 Selection of the capacitance required
The primary criterion for selecting the output filter capacitor is its capacitance and equivalent
series resistance, ESR. Since the capacitor’s ESR affects efficiency, low-ESR capacitors will be
used for best performance. For reducing ESR is also possible to connect few capacitors in
parallel. The output filter capacitors are chosen to meet an output voltage ripple

Simulation of DC/DC Converter

To verify the response of the converter as online algorithm, a complete dynamic model of PV
array and DC/DC converter scheme have been simulated by Matlab/Simulink software. The
DC/DC converter has been simulated for variation of the load from 12 kW, 200 kW and 500 kW
respectively. The model's input is taken power from solar cells array and the output of the model
is fed to the load demand. The output voltage from PV array, Vdcpv which is the input to boost.
The PV array has been tested for load change due to change in solar radiation.
 Fig1. Representation of Boost converter connected with solar PV system in block diagram
EXPECTED OUTCOME

The analysis or evaluation will be carried out to verify the operation of boost converter with the
parameters calculated as above and compare the performance of the proposed system i.e. the
converter with the controlled pulses (MPPT) and that the system without MPPT. With the
calculated parameters of the Inductor, capacitor, load resistance and appropriate choice of
voltage and current ripple factor. The designed step up converter steps up the dc voltage.

REFERENCES

Konstantin P. Louganski, "Modeling and Analysis of A DC Power Distribution System In 21st

Century Airlifters", M. Sc., Electrical Engineering Dept., Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University, September 30, 1999, Blacksburg, Virginia.
Jaber Abu-Qahouq and Issa Batarseh, "Generalized Analysis of Soft-Switching DC-DC
Converters", ISCAS 2000 – IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, May 28-
31, 2000, Geneva, Switzerland, pp. 507-510.
Woywode, O.; Güldner, H. "Application of Statistical Analysis to DC-DC Converter"
International Power Electronics Conference, IPEC 2000, Tokyo, Japan 2000.
Mohammad H. Rashid, "Power Electronics: Circuits, Devices and Applications", Prentice-Hall,
Inc., Englewood Cliffs, Book, Second Edition, 1993.
Nur Mohammad, M. Quamruzzaman, M. R. T. Hossain, M. R. Alam, 2013, “Parasitic Effects on
the Performance of SEPIC Converter in Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking
Applications”, International Journal of Smart Grid Renewable Energy, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 113-
121, USA.