High-Performance Isolated Bidirectional DC-DC Converter

Abstract

Bidirectional DC-DC converters have been gaining attention in the field of power electronics due to the increasing need of a controlled power flow between two DC buses. Typical applications can be easily listed, ranging from renewable energy production units to electric and hybrid vehicles. Such converters can feature characteristics as high power density and performance as well as isolation between each port. As a result, AddVolt has commissioned that such a converter should be included in its regenerative breaking solution. Within this dissertation, a bidirectional isolated DC-DC converter is proposed, and all aspects from literature review, modelling, design, simulation, implementation, testing and validation are deeply covered. A medium-power high frequency Dual-Active Bridge (DAB) converter is the chosen topology. After validation of both the topology and control structure in a computational environment, an experimental prototype is assembled and successfully tested. Galvanic isolation is granted and achieved by a self-designed and in-house wound high frequency transformer.