Analysis of Light Load Efficiency Characteristics of a Dual Active Bridge Converter Using Wide Band-Gap Devices

In this paper, the zero voltage switching (ZVS) region of a dual active bridge (DAB) converter with wide band-gap (WBG) power semiconductor device is analyzed. The ZVS region of a DAB converter varies depending on output power and voltage ratio. The DAB converters operate with hard switching at light loads, it is difficult to achieve high efficiency. Fortunately, WBG power semiconductor devices have excellent hard switching characteristics and can increase efficiency compared to silicon (Si) devices. In particular, WBG devices can achieve ZVS at low load currents due to their low parasitic output capacitance (Co,tr) characteristics. Therefore, in this paper, the ZVS operating resion is analyzed based on the characteristics of Si, silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). Power semiconductor devices. WBG devices with low Co,tr operate at ZVS at lower load currents compared to Si devices. To verify this, experiments are conducted and the results are analyzed using a 3 kW DAB converter. For Si devices, ZVS is achieved above 1.4 kW. For WBG devices, ZVS is achieved at 700 W. Due to the ZVS conditions depending on the switching device, the DAB converter using Si devices achieves a power conversion efficiency of 91% at 1.1 kW output. On the other hand, in the case of WBG devices, power conversion efficiency of more than 98% is achieved under 11 kW conditions. In conclusion, it is confirmed that the WBG device operates in ZVS at a lower load compared to the Si device, which is advantageous in increasing light load efficiency.

Fuzzy Logic Controlled Dual Active Bridge Series Resonant Converter for DC Smart Grid Application

Over the last few years, smart grids have become a topic of intensive research, development and deployment across the world. This is due to the fact that, through the smart grid, stable and reliable power systems can be achieved. This paper presents a fuzzy logic control for dual active bridge series resonant converters for DC smart grid application. The DC smart grid consists of wind turbine and photovoltaic generators, controllable and DC loads, and power converters. The proposed control method has been applied to the controllable load＇s and the grid side＇s dual active bridge series resonant converters for attaining control of the power system. It has been used for management of controllable load＇s state of charge, DC feeder＇s voltage stability during the loads and power variations from wind energy and photovoltaic generation and power flow management between the grid side and the DC smart grid. The effectiveness of the proposed DC smart grid operation has been verified by simulation results obtained by using MATLAB and PLECS cards.

Control-Based Stabilization of DC Microgrid for More Electric Aircraft

Electrifying the on-board subsystems of aircraft becomes an inevitable process as being faced with the environmental pollution,along with the proposed concept called more electric aircraft(MEA).With the increasing number of on-board power electronic based devices,the distribution system of the aircraft can be regarded as an onboard microgrid.As it is known that the load power electronic converters can exhibit constant power load(CPL)characteristics and reduce the system stability,it is necessary to accurately predict and enhance the system stability in designing process.This paper firstly analyzes the stability of an on-board DC microgrid with the presence of CPL.Then,discusses the reasons behind instability and proposes a control strategy to enhance system stability.Finally,the simulation results are worked out to validate the analysis and the effect of the proposed control strategy.