UNIT-III

Power Converters for

PV & Wind
 UNIT-III:
Power Converters for PV and Wind:
• Basic switching devices
• AC-DC Rectifier, DC-AC inverter (Basic operation)
• DC DC converter - Buck, Boost converters Basic operation,
• Battery charger (Basic operation), grid inter face requirements in Renewable
energy integration
UNIT-3

Topic-1 Basic Switching Devices

Power electronic circuits in wind and photovoltaic (PV) power systems basically perform the
following functions:

• Convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC)

• Convert DC to AC
• Control voltage
• Control frequency
• Convert DC to DC

These functions are performed by solid-state semiconductor devices periodically

switched on and off at a desired frequency

Solid-State Semiconductor devices acts as a “Switch”

UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-1 Basic Switching Devices
Mechanical Switch
Switching Action, S Close - Bulb “ON”
S Open - Bulb “OFF”
S
Mechanical switch
Bulb (Output) (Manually closed)

Battery (Source)

(Electrical operated Magnetically closed Mechanical Switch)

UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-1 Basic Switching Devices
Semiconductor Switch
Switching Action, Presence of Gate signal - Bulb “ON”
Absence of Gate signal - Bulb “OFF”

Battery Bulb
(Source) (Output)
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-1 Basic Switching Devices
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-1 Basic Switching Devices
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-1 Basic Switching Devices
Power LOSS in an Ideal Switch
1
+
Switch closed: v(t) = 0, but current flows i(t)

Switch open: i(t) = 0, but Voltage is available v(t) G

In either event: p(t) = v(t) i(t) = 0
–

0
Ideal switch consumes “zero” power
Ideal Switch
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-1 Basic Switching Devices
UNIT-3

Topic-2 Converters
Power Processing
Power Switching Power
input converter output

Control
input (Gate)

• DC-DC conversion: Change and control voltage magnitude

• AC-DC rectification: Possibly control dc voltage, ac current

• DC-AC inversion: Produce sinusoid of controllable magnitude and frequency

• AC-AC cyclo conversion: Change and control voltage magnitude and frequency
UNIT-3

Topic-2 Converters: AC-DC “RECTIFIER”

Type of Supply Type of Supply

Rectifier
Type of Switch used

Uncontrolled Controlled
Single Diode as a switch 3 terminal device
Three
Phase Phase
Fullwave with
Half wave Center tapped Bridge
transformer
Output is low Complex Mostly used
UNIT-3

Topic-2 Converters: AC-DC “RECTIFIER”

 AC signals can not be stored and DC power or signals can be stored. Thus, to store the electrical
energy we need to convert it into DC.

 Also, Digital devices require constant voltages, thus to get those constant voltage
levels(DC levels) we need to convert AC into DC using Rectifiers.

Half Wave Rectifier Full Wave Rectifier

UNIT-3

Topic-2 Converters: AC-DC “RECTIFIER”

During Positive Half Cycle:
• When the sinusoidal input voltage (Vin) goes positive,
the diode is forward-biased and conducts current
through the load resistor.
• The current produces an output voltage across the load
RL, which has the same shape as the positive half-cycle
of the input voltage.
During Negative Half Cycle:
• When the input voltage goes negative during the second
half of its cycle, the diode is reverse-biased.
• There is no current, so the voltage across the load
resistor is 0 V
π
1 𝑉𝑚
𝑉𝐷𝐶 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑑𝑡 =
π 0 π
UNIT-3

Topic-3 Converters: DC-AC “INVERTER”

 To convert direct current (DC) voltage to alternating current (AC) voltage.

 The applications of DC involves several small

types of equipment like solar power systems.
Direct current is used in many of the small
electrical equipment such as
 Solar Power Systems
 Power Batteries
 Fuel cells
UNIT-3

Topic-3 Converters: DC-AC “INVERTER”

Equivalent circuit When S1,S2 Turn on 𝑽𝒐

𝑽𝒅𝒄
S1,S2
ON

S3,S4
𝑻 𝟐 𝒕
ON

 An ac output is synthesized from a dc input by closing and

opening switches in an appropriate sequence. When S3,S4 Turn on
𝑽𝒐
 The output load voltage alternates between 𝑽𝒅𝒄 when
S1 and S2 are ON and −𝑽𝒅𝒄 when S3 and S4 are ON,
𝑻 𝟐
irrespective of the direction of current flow.
𝒕
2
2 −𝑽𝒅𝒄
𝑉𝑝ℎ = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝞪 𝑉𝑑𝑐
π
UNIT-3

Topic-4 DC-DC Converters

Unregulated DC-DC Regulated

DC Input Switching DC Output
converter

Control
input (Gate)

There are two basic configurations of DC-DC converters

1. Buck Converter (“Step-down”Converter)-{output voltage is less than input voltage}

2. Boost Converter(“Step-up”Converter)-{output voltage is more than input voltage}

Now a days almost 600 various DC-DC converters are developed from these two basic converters
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters-“Buck”
Buck- Converter: Circuit Operation: Operates in TWO modes
1. On triggering the Gate (G) the switch is closed (“ON”):
The DC source
charges the
capacitor and
supplies power to
the load via an
inductor

2. During the off-time, the switch is opened(“OFF”):

 The buck Full-load power is

supplied by the
converter
energy stored in the
steps inductor and the
 Switch is turned down the capacitor, with the
on and off at a input diode providing the
voltage return circuit.
high frequency The power drawn from the DC source is zero
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters-“Buck”
ANALYSIS of Buck-Converter Input voltage waveform for L-C filter

Output after
the Switch

Basic methodology of analysing all power electronic circuits

 Energy supplied to the load over one complete period (i.e.,Ton+Toff) = Energy drawn from the
source during the on-time.
 Energy supplied to the load during the off-time = Energy drawn from the inductor and capacitor during
off-time

 The principle of inductor volt-second balance:

In Steady State the net volt-seconds applied to an inductor(on and off period) is Zero
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters-“Buck”
ANALYSIS of Buck-Converter Voltage waveform of Inductor(L):

Inductor
Voltage

The principle of inductor volt-second balance:

in steady state, the net volt-seconds applied to
an inductor (i.e., the total area A) must be zero.
Volt-Sec balance, (Vin – Vo) TON +(-Vo) TOFF = 0
Vo = Vin(TON )/(TON+ TOFF )

Applying KVL around loop during on-time & off time Vo = Vin(TON )/T
T = TON + TOFF
• on-time, VL = (Vin – Vo) • off-time, VL = -Vo Vo = DVin Duty cycle(D) = TON/T
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters-“Buck”

Relation between input and output in terms of duty cycle(D)

Voltage: Current: Resistance:

Vo = DVin Io = Iin R
Rin= 𝐷20
D
Ro = V0=DVin =Rin𝐷2
Io Iin
D
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters-“Boost”
Boost- Converter: Circuit Operation: Operates in TWO modes

When the switch

is on, the inductor
is connected to
the DC source
,Diode is under
reverse bias.

When the switch

is off, the
inductor current
is forced to flow
through the diode
and the load.
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters-“Boost”
Analysis of Boost- Converter: Voltage waveform of Inductor(L):

Applying KVL
around loop

• During
on-time,
VL = Vin During the first subinterval, vL(t) is equal to Vin and
positive volt-seconds are applied to the inductor. Since,
in steady-state, the total volt-seconds applied over one
switching period must be zero. Negative volt-seconds
must be applied during the second subinterval
Volt-Sec balance, (Vin ) TON +(Vin-Vo) TOFF = 0
• During
off-time, Vo = Vin(TON+ TOFF)/(TOFF)

VL = Vin-Vo Vo = Vin(T)/ TOFF

V
 Vo = 1−𝐷
i𝑛 T = TON + TOFF
Duty cycle(D) = TON/T
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-4 DC-DC Converters-“Boost”
Analysis of Boost- Converter:
V
 Vo = 1−𝐷
i𝑛

• For all values of D less than 1, the

output voltage is always greater than
the input voltage.
Relation between input and output in terms of duty cycle(D)
• Therefore, the boost Voltage: Current: Resistance:
converter can only step
Vi𝑛
up the voltage  Vo = 1−𝐷 Io =Iin(1 − D) Rin= 𝑅 0(1−D)^2

Ro = V0
Io
UNIT-3

Topic-4 Summary “Buck & Boost” Converters

Relation Parameter Buck-Converter Boost-Converter

between Input Vi𝑛
Voltage: Vo = DVin Vo =
and output 1−𝐷
parameters in
terms of duty Current: Io = Iin Io = Iin(1 − D)
D
cycle(D) R
Resistance: Rin= 𝐷20 Rin= 𝑅 0(1−D)^2
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-5 Battery Charger
 The stand-alone PV power system uses the DC–DC converter for battery charging and discharging.
Buck Converter is the most widely used battery charge converter
• The buck converter steps down the input bus Buck-Converter as
voltage to the battery voltage during charging Battery Charge Converter

• The output voltage is controlled by varying the duty

ratio D.

• This is done in a feedback control loop with the

required battery charge current as the reference.

• The duty ratio is controlled by modulating the pulse

width of Ton.

• Such a converter is, therefore, also known as the

pulse-width-modulated (PWM) converter.
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Topic-5 Battery Charger
Boost Converter is the most widely used battery discharging converter

• Boost converter steps up the sagging battery voltage Boost- Converter as

during discharge to the required output voltage. Battery Discharge Converter
• Combining the two (buck and boost) converters in a
cascade, therefore, gives a buck–boost converter,
which can step down or step up the input voltage.
UNIT-3
Grid Interface Requirements in
Topic-6
Renewable Energy Integration
Grid
INV/CONV
Synch
Switch
INV/CONV U

INV/CONV
Local
Loads

 In PV systems, PV arrays may be pole mounted or attached on the roof, Sometimes batteries
(Fuel cell) may be attached for backup if the utility grid is problematic.

 Power from the Renewable sources is distributed to the a.c. loads and the utility grid it goes
through a power conditioning unit which changes d.c. to a.c., which maintains quality of supply
and helps to operate system most efficiently.
UNIT-3
Grid Interface Requirements in Cont.,
Topic-6
Renewable Energy Integration

• The synchronizing switch have internal voltage and phase-angle sensors to monitor the site and
grid voltages and signal the correct instant for closing the switch.

• The power flows in either direction depending on the site voltage at the switch terminals.

• Both the wind and PV systems interface the grid at the output terminals of a synchronizing breaker
after the inverter.
UNIT-3
Grid Interface Requirements in Cont.,
Topic-6
Renewable Energy Integration
Four conditions that must be satisfied before the synchronizing switch permits the
closure are as follows:
Synch
 The frequency must be as close as possible to the grid frequency, Switch
preferably about one third of a hertz higher. U

 The terminal-voltage magnitude must match with that of the

grid, preferably a few percent higher.

 The phase sequences of both three-phase voltages must be the

same.

 The phase angle between the two voltages must be within 5°.
UNIT-3
Grid Interface Requirements in Cont.,
Topic-6
Renewable Energy Integration
wind power system as Renewable energy source the synchronizing process runs as
follows:
Synch
 When synchronizing breaker open, the wind power generator is Switch
brought up to speed by using the electrical machine in the motoring U
mode.

 The machine is changed to the generating mode, and the controls are
adjusted so that the site and grid voltages match to meet the requirements
as closely as possible.

 The phase sequences of both three-phase voltages must be the

same.

 The phase angle between the two voltages must be within 5°.
UNIT-3
Grid Interface Requirements in Cont.,
Topic-6
Renewable Energy Integration
The fundamental requirements on the site voltage for interfacing with the grid are as follows:

 The voltage magnitude and phase must equal The voltage is controlled by the transformer turn
that required for the desired magnitude and r ratio or the power electronic converter firing
direction of the power flow. angle in a closed-loop control system.

To meet the frequency requirement,

 The frequency must be exactly equal to that the only effective means is to use the utility
of the grid or else the system will not work. frequency as the inverter switching
frequency reference.

 Any small mismatch between the site voltage and grid voltage circulates an inrush
current from one to the other until the two voltages equalize and come to a perfect
synchronous operation.
UNIT-3

Extra Converters-Applications
A laptop computer power supply system • A lithium battery powers the system
• A buck converter produces the low-
Inverter Display voltage de required by the
backlighting microprocessor.
• A boost converter increases the battery
iac(t) Charger voltage to the level needed by the disk
Buck Microprocessor drive.
PWM
vac(t) converter Power • An inverter produces high-voltage
Rectifier
management high-frequency ac to drive lamps that
light the display.
ac line input
Lithium Boost Disk • A charger with transformer isolation
85–265 Vrms converter drive
battery converts the ac line voltage into dc to
charge the battery.
• Power management is used, to control
sleep modes in which power
consumption is reduced and battery
life is extended.
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Extra Converters-Applications
Power system of an earth-orbiting spacecraft
• A solar array produces the
main power bus voltage
Dissipative
shunt regulator Vbus·

+ • DC-DC converters convert

Solar Vbus to the regulated
array vbus
voltages required by the
–
spacecraft payloads.
Battery Dc-dc Dc-dc
charge/discharge converter converter • Battery charge/discharge
controllers
controllers interface the
main power bus to
Batteries
Payload Payload
batteries; these controllers
may also contain dc-dc
converters.
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Extra Converters-Applications
An electric vehicle power and drive system • Batteries are charged by a
converter that draws high power-
factor sinusoidal current from a
ac machine ac machine
acmachine
machine
single-phase or three-phase ac
ac
line.
• The batteries supply power to
Inverter Inverter control bus
variable-speed ac motors to propel
Inverter
the vehicle.
battery
P • The speeds of the ac motors are
+ system
controller controlled by variation of the
3øac line Battery
charger vb
DC-DC electrical input frequency.
converter
50/60 Hz
• Inverters produce three-phase ac
Vehicle
– electronics output voltages of variable
Low-voltage
dc bus frequency and variable magnitude,
Inverter
Inverter Inverter
Inverter to control the speed of the ac
Variable-frequency
motors and the vehicle.
Variable-voltage ac • A dc-dc converter steps down the
ac
ac machine
machine ac
ac machine
machine battery voltage to the lower dc
levels required by the electronics
of the system.
UNIT-3 Cont.,
Extra Converters-Applications
A standalone photovoltaic power system
UNIT-3

Extra Review Questions

1. Briefly describe the switching devices and its importance in Renewable power system.

2. Explain the basic operation of rectifier with neat schematic diagram and mention few
applications

3. Explain the basic operation of Inverter with neat circuit diagram and mention few applications
in RES

4. Explain in detail Buck operation of the DC-DC converter.

5. Explain in detail Boost operation of the DC-DC converter

6. Explain the need of battery charger and describe the operation with neat circuit diagram.

7. What is the need and list out the basic requirements of grid integration for renewable systems.
END OF THE
UNIT-III