Three Level SEPIC For Hybrid Wind-Solar Energy Systems

A Single Ended Primary Inductor Converter (SEPIC) is a DC to DC converter that provides output which is lesser than or greater than its input. However this two level SEPIC suffers from higher switching stress due to which the switching losses increase. Because of this increase in switching loss, the efficiency of the power converter decreases. To overcome this disadvantage, this paper proposes a three level SEPIC which has reduced switching losses. Three level SEPIC improves the power efficiency by using a lower rated switch. A control strategy is described to balance the capacitor voltage so that the damage to the power switch is prevented. Inductor current ripple in the output inductor is also reduced in the proposed converter. Hybrid Wind-Solar energy system is given as a source to the three level SEPIC. Simulation results of both two level and three level SEPIC are discussed to highlight the advantages of proposed converter.