Title :
Electronic load interface for improving PV dual-converter system operational margin
Author :
Urayai, Caston ; Amaratunga, G.A.J.
Author_Institution :
Eng. Dept., Cambridge Univ., Cambridge, UK
Abstract :
An electronic load interface (ELI) for improving the operational margin of a photovoltaic (PV) dual-converter system under dynamic conditions is presented. The ELI - based on a modified buck-boost converter - interfaces the output of the converters and the load system. It improves the operational margin of the PV dual-converter system by extending the conditions under which the dual-converter system operates at the maximum power point. The ELI is activated as and when needed, so as minimise system losses. By employing the ELI, utilisation and efficiency of a PV dual-converter system increases. In general, the concept of the ELI can be applied to multi-converter PV systems - such as multi-converter inverters, and multi-converter DC-DC converter systems - for performance and efficiency improvement.
Keywords :
maximum power point trackers; photovoltaic power systems; ELI; PV dual-converter system operational margin; dynamic conditions; electronic load interface; maximum power point; modified buck-boost converter; multiconverter DC-DC converter systems; multiconverter PV systems; multiconverter inverters; photovoltaic dual-converter system;
Journal_Title :
Renewable Power Generation, IET
DOI :
10.1049/iet-rpg.2012.0154