Improving the efficiency of PV low-power processing circuits by selecting an optimal inductor current of the DC/DC converter


Autoria(s): Reverter Cubarsí, Ferran; Gasulla Forner, Manuel
Contribuinte(s)

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament d'Enginyeria Electrònica

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. e-CAT - Transductors i Circuits Electrònics

Resumo

In the context of autonomous sensors powered by small-size photovoltaic (PV) panels, this work analyses how the efficiency of DC/DC-converter-based power processing circuits can be improved by an appropriate selection of the inductor current that transfers the energy from the PV panel to a storage unit. Each component of power losses (fixed, conduction and switching losses) involved in the DC/DC converter specifically depends on the average inductor current so that there is an optimal value of this current that causes minimal losses and, hence, maximum efficiency. Such an idea has been tested experimentally using two commercial DC/DC converters whose average inductor current is adjustable. Experimental results show that the efficiency can be improved up to 12% by selecting an optimal value of that current, which is around 300-350 mA for such DC/DC converters.

Peer Reviewed

Postprint (published version)

Identificador

http://hdl.handle.net/2117/27325

Idioma(s)

eng

Direitos

Open Access

Palavras-Chave #Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria electrònica i telecomunicacions #DC-to-DC converters #Power Electronics #DC-DC switching power converters #Linear-assisted DC-DC converters #DC/DC converter #efficiency #photovoltaic panel #power processing circuit #Convertidors continu-continu
Tipo

info:eu-repo/semantics/other