Abstract
Large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic energy generation systems are progressing remarkably benefiting from the latest developments in solid-state semiconductors technology. In such systems, the photovoltaic arrays can be connected directly to the medium-voltage grid without employing a bulky
line-frequency transformer to step up the voltage. Nanocrystalline cores with a small size and a high permeability operating at medium or high frequency can be installed in the power conversion stage. Hence, the necessary isolation as well as voltage boosting features can be provided. However, only a few
power converters allow this type of isolation. This paper proposes a new modular converter structure suitable for medium-voltage grid connected systems with high-frequency isolation. The output voltages of the series-connected modules are added in order to provide the necessary voltage boosting. Four different power converter topologies with small input capacitors can be used as submodules for the presented medium-voltage configuration
having different advantages and drawbacks. These different topologies are analysed in terms of power losses, footprint and functionality. To validate the mathematical analysis and the computer simulations, a scaled-down 5 kVA three-phase, 1 kV prototype is built and tested with four modules for each phase.
line-frequency transformer to step up the voltage. Nanocrystalline cores with a small size and a high permeability operating at medium or high frequency can be installed in the power conversion stage. Hence, the necessary isolation as well as voltage boosting features can be provided. However, only a few
power converters allow this type of isolation. This paper proposes a new modular converter structure suitable for medium-voltage grid connected systems with high-frequency isolation. The output voltages of the series-connected modules are added in order to provide the necessary voltage boosting. Four different power converter topologies with small input capacitors can be used as submodules for the presented medium-voltage configuration
having different advantages and drawbacks. These different topologies are analysed in terms of power losses, footprint and functionality. To validate the mathematical analysis and the computer simulations, a scaled-down 5 kVA three-phase, 1 kV prototype is built and tested with four modules for each phase.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion |
| Early online date | 19 Oct 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 19 Oct 2018 |
Keywords
- modular medium-voltage converter
- photovoltaic power plants
- renewable energy systems