| Abstract |
A high-efficiency boost converter for converting the output voltage of a solar panel array, or wind turbine, to the required dc bus voltage, feeding a battery bank and an inverter, is described. The series inclusion of the converter necessitates a high efficiency, therefore the first objective is the maximization of the energy efficiency of the converter. This is attained by effective power switch driving, implementing a regenerative snubber, using low loss core material and utilizing Schottky diodes. A comparative investigation between bipolar transistors and field effect transistors as switching elements, is made towards total converter efficiency. In order to maximize the overall efficiency of the renewable energy system, it is necessary to track the maximum power point of the input source. Maximum power tracking is achieved by measurements of the output current and voltage, calculating and maximizing output power. The batteries which serve as an energy store are expensive and therefore necessitates some form of charging and discharging protection. This is achieved by limiting the maximum allowable charge current to a value which depends on the battery state of charge. |
