Power Converters for DC Microgrids – Modelling and Simulation

This paper presents the performance verification and suitability of a simple boost DC-DC converter and an impedance source boost DC-DC converter for modern DC microgrid applications. Most of the renewable energy resources suitable for Singapore operate at a low voltage. Hence it is important to boost the low voltage obtained from the renewable source to the voltage suitable for the DC bus/load in a DC microgrid. In this context, a 10kW power electronic converter is designed to interface PV resource to the DC bus of a microgrid. Simulink model of the system using a simple boost converter and an impedance source boost converter is designed. Simulation results during steady-state and transient operating conditions demonstrates the performance of the converters and the controller, and confirms the suitability of these converters for the DC microgrid.