Multiport converter with integrated energy storage for hydrogen buffer interfacing with renewable energy systems

This paper presents a new integrated (multiport) DC/DC converter for hydrogen-based energy storages. As compared to traditional individual converter based solutions, for interfacing of an electrolyzer and a fuel cell, the proposed topology features reduced energy conversion stages. In order to improve the response time of the hydrogen buffer the battery was integrated to the interface converter with no need for an extra charging/discharging circuit. The paper analyzes and discusses the operating principle of the new converter and provides some design guidelines. Finally, theoretical background is experimentally verified.