Distributed DC-DC Converter Architectures for Renewable Energy Harvesting

分布式DC架构为可再生能源收集系统提供了几个额外的好处。这些好处包括更高的能量产量、更高的系统可靠性和功率吞吐量、提供更好的系统监控和诊断能力以及更灵活的系统设计。 高频功率变换仅限于低功率应用。然而，随着电子、磁性和介电材料的进步，为这些转换器建立新的运行限制提供了一个绝佳的机会。该计划将专注于开发用于可再生能源收集应用的新型模块化高频功率转换器，尤其是风能和太阳能应用。由于除了高功率密度外还需要高效率，因此将研究谐振功率转换器以及使用碳化硅二极管和/或开关的应用，以及针对这些应用对中高频变压器提出的设计要求。还将调查转换器故障恢复能力以及直通支持的能量存储要求。直流采集电网中的多个互连变流器提供了更大的控制灵活性，其中可以协调变流器的调制，以优化整个功率转换系统的效率和动态响应。该计划的主要创新和主要成果将是：(I)开发一系列新型模块化高压高频功率转换器，可以轻松地安装在风力涡轮机的塔架上。(2)对大量串联和/或并联电源转换器的集成以及这些互连对系统运行的影响进行系统层面的分析。(3)直接与中压电网相连的大型太阳能发电厂的建筑，而不需要庞大的线路频率变压器。 拟议的研究将使加拿大工业在模块化DC架构方面具有竞争优势，可用于不同的应用，如可再生能源收集、运输系统的电气化、海底石油和天然气以及雷达电源。

Distributed DC architectures provide several added benefits to renewable energy harvesting systems. Among these benefits are the higher energy yield, increased system reliability and power throughput, provide better system monitoring and diagnostic capabilities as well as more flexible system design. High frequency power conversion has been limited to low power applications. However, with the advances in electronic, magnetic and dielectric materials, there is a prime opportunity to establish new limits of operation for these converters. This program will focus on developing novel modular high frequency power converters for renewable energy harvesting applications with specific focus on wind and solar applications. Since high efficiency in addition to high power density are key design requirements, the application of resonant power converters as well as using silicon carbide diodes and/or switches will be investigated along with the design requirements imposed on the medium/high frequency transformers for these applications. Converter fault resilience, as well as energy storage requirements for ride-through support will also be investigated. Multiple interconnected converters in the DC collection grid provide more control flexibility, where converter modulations can be coordinated to optimize overall power conversion system efficiency and dynamic response. The key novelty and main outcome of this program is will be: (i) The development of a family of new modular high voltage high frequency power converters that can be easily installed up-tower in wind turbines. (ii) System level analysis for the integration of a large number of power converters connected in series and/or parallel and the effect of these interconnections on system operation. (iii) Architectures for large-scale solar plants that are directly tied to medium voltage grid without the need for bulky line frequency transformers. The proposed research will give Canadian industry a competitive edge in modular DC architectures, which can be adopted in different applications, such as renewable energy harvesting, electrification of transportation systems, sub-sea oil and gas and radar power supplies.