Multiinput DC-DC converters in renewable energy applications - An overview

Power electronics DC-DC converters are being widely used in various applications like hybrid energy systems, hybrid vehicles, aerospace, satellite applications and portable electronics devices. In the recent past, a lot of research and development has been carried out to enhance the reliability, efficiency, modularity and cost effectiveness of these converters. A number of new topologies have been proposed and new characteristics of power conversion have been defined. DC-DC converters have made a successful transition from single input-single output to multiinput-multioutput converters. These converters are now able to interface different level inputs and combine their advantages to feed the different level of outputs. Research is continued to bring down the cost and reduce the number of components while keeping the continuous improvement in the areas like reliability and efficiency of the overall system. The study of different multiinput DC-DC converter topologies suggests that there is no single topology which can handle the entire goals of cost, reliability, flexibility, efficiency and modularity single handed. This paper presents some of the recent trends in the development of multiinput and multioutput DC-DC converters. Methods to synthesize multiinput converters, their operational principles, merits and demerits are studied.