5-level E-Type Dual Active Bridge Converter for Photovoltaic Applications

The 5-level E-Type Dual Active Bridge (5L E-Type DAB) Converter for PV systems has been proposed in this paper. The proposed converter reduces the voltage stress of the power semiconductors, so it is suitable for high-voltage PV applications. The modulation strategy and the operating principle have been addressed for the 5L E-Type DAB converter. Moreover, a suitable design methodology for high-frequency transformers in power conversion systems is described. The proposed method covers aspects related to the design steps starting from the sizing of the primary and secondary winding, then dealing with the sizing of the core geometry and losses evaluation, up to the thermal analysis. An optimization technique based on the parameter sweep method has been integrated into the design procedure. The simulation results verify the performance of the 5L E-Type DAB converter, and the high frequency transformer design methodology.