TY - JOUR

T1 - A Modular Step-Up DC–DC Converter Based on Dual-Isolated SEPIC/Cuk for Electric Vehicle Applications

AU - Darwish, Ahmed

AU - Aggidis, George

PY - 2025/1/2

Y1 - 2025/1/2

N2 - Fuel cells (FCs) offer several operational advantages when integrated as a power source in electric vehicles (EVs). Since the voltage of these cells is typically low, usually less than 1 V, the power conversion system requires a DC–DC converter capable of providing a high voltage conversion ratio to match the input voltage of the motor propulsion system, which can exceed 400 V and reach up to 800 V. The modular DC–DC boost converter proposed in this paper is designed to achieve a high voltage step-up ratio for the input FC voltages through the use of isolated series-connecting boosting submodules connected. The power electronic topology employed in the submodules (SMs) is designed to provide a flexible output voltage while maintaining a continuous input current from the fuel cells with minimal current ripple to improve the FC’s performance. The proposed step-up modular converter provides several benefits including scalability, better controllability, and improved reliability, especially in the presence of partial faults. Computer simulations using MATLAB/SIMULINK® software (R2024a) have been used to study the feasibility of the proposed converter when connected to a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). Also, experimental results using a 1 kW prototype composed of four SMs have been obtained to validate the performance of the proposed converter.

AB - Fuel cells (FCs) offer several operational advantages when integrated as a power source in electric vehicles (EVs). Since the voltage of these cells is typically low, usually less than 1 V, the power conversion system requires a DC–DC converter capable of providing a high voltage conversion ratio to match the input voltage of the motor propulsion system, which can exceed 400 V and reach up to 800 V. The modular DC–DC boost converter proposed in this paper is designed to achieve a high voltage step-up ratio for the input FC voltages through the use of isolated series-connecting boosting submodules connected. The power electronic topology employed in the submodules (SMs) is designed to provide a flexible output voltage while maintaining a continuous input current from the fuel cells with minimal current ripple to improve the FC’s performance. The proposed step-up modular converter provides several benefits including scalability, better controllability, and improved reliability, especially in the presence of partial faults. Computer simulations using MATLAB/SIMULINK® software (R2024a) have been used to study the feasibility of the proposed converter when connected to a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). Also, experimental results using a 1 kW prototype composed of four SMs have been obtained to validate the performance of the proposed converter.

U2 - 10.3390/en18010146

DO - 10.3390/en18010146

M3 - Journal article

VL - 18

JO - Energies

JF - Energies

SN - 1996-1073

IS - 1

M1 - 146

ER -