Highly Integrated Resonant Switched Capacitor Converters for Sub-Module Photovoltaic Power Management

本研究将探索使用高度集成的电力电子技术来改善光伏（PV）系统的能源生产。我们将利用商用CMOS技术和定制后端处理，开发功率磁性、功率转换电路和一系列中至高密度电容器技术的3d集成工艺。第二个重点将是高效，高功率密度电路设计，可以利用集成无源和有源器件的最大能力。特别是，我们将探索谐振开关电容器（ReSC）转换器的使用，用于部分功率处理架构，可以在子模块级与PV电池组集成，以高效和经济地减轻由于电池，模块和系统级不匹配而导致的功率损失。目标包括在一系列操作场景中实现99%以上的有效转换效率，插入损耗低于0.1%，以及模块集成电子元件成本低于5美分/Wp的路线图。更广泛的影响目前，光伏电池之间的差异以及它们接受的日照量的差异极大地限制了可能的实际能量提取，并对系统配置和电网接口电子设备施加了不必要的限制。拟议的研究旨在消除这些障碍，从而使光伏系统具有更强的稳健性、灵活性和能量提取能力，同时保持低成本的转换电子设备。开发可以完全集成在硅集成电路（ic）中的电力电子解决方案和组件可以支持光伏系统的并网平价路径，但也可以影响其他迫切需要的领域，如LED照明，以及一系列消费和工业电子产品的电力输送。此外，本项目开发的工具和技术将广泛用于向下一代工程师、科学家和教育工作者进行教学和传播科学知识。这项研究将增加达特茅斯在特定课程和更广泛课程上的教育经验。该计划还将用于加强我们的社区外展工作。达特茅斯K-12的推广，包括主要研究人员的定期课堂访问和高中生夏季工程研讨会的参与，将激发新的活动，利用学生对太阳能的兴趣来推动对技术概念的参与，帮助使这些概念变得容易理解和有意义。

Intellectual MeritThis research will explore the use of highly-integrated power electronics to improve the energy production of photovoltaic (PV) systems. We will develop a process for 3-D integration of power magnetics, power conversion circuitry, and a range of moderate to high density capacitor technologies using commercially available CMOS technologies and custom back-end processing. A second focus will be on efficient, high power-density circuit designs that can exploit the maximum capabilities of integrated passive and active devices. In particular, we will explore the use of resonant switched-capacitor (ReSC) converters, used in partial power processing architectures that can be integrated with groups of PV cells at the sub-module level to efficiently and cost effectively mitigate power that is lost due to mismatch at the cell, module, and system level. Targets include achieving effective conversion efficiencies over 99% for a range of operating scenarios, insertion loss below 0.1%, and a roadmap for cost of module-integrated electronics below 5 ¢/Wp.Broader ImpactPresently, variations among PV cells and differences in how much insolation they receive greatly limit the practical energy extraction that is possible and impose undesired constraints on the system configuration and grid interface electronics. The proposed research aims to eliminate these obstacles, resulting in PV systems of much greater robustness, flexibility and energy extraction capability, while maintaining low cost of the conversion electronics. Developing power electronics solutions and components that can be fully integrated in silicon integrated circuits (ICs) can support the path to grid-parity for PV systems, but can also impact other areas of acute need such as LED lighting, and power delivery for a range of consumer and industrial electronics.In addition, the tools and techniques developed in this project will be used extensively for teaching and dissemination of scientific knowledge to the next generation of engineers, scientists and educators. The research will augment the educational experience at Dartmouth in specific courses and the broader curriculum. The program will also be used to enhance our community outreach efforts. Dartmouth K-12 outreach, including regular classroom visits by the principal investigators and involvement in summer engineering workshops for high-school students will motivate new activities that leverage students' interest in solar energy to drive engagement with technical concepts, helping to make these concepts accessible and meaningful.