A New Multiinput Three-Level DC/DC Converter

Power electronics solutions based on multiple converter configurations offer cost-effective solutions by integrating a number of components at input or output power stages. This paper proposes a new multiinput isolated three-level converter for renewable and sustainable energy systems adopting high dc link voltage. Multiple dc sources are integrated to the three-level dc/dc converter before the isolation stage, resulting in reduced part-count, determining dc link voltage level and allowing flexibility in transformer design. The proposed architecture eliminates two boost switches which are present in the two-stage counterpart. The input inductors are operated in discontinuous conduction mode; thus, power can be shared between input sources through proper selection of input inductors. A low voltage prototype has been designed to serve as a proof of concept.