Non-isolated multiphase boost converter for a fuel cell with battery backup power system

This work describes a step-up non-isolated DC/DC converter aimed for fuel cell stand-alone power systems. The proposed converter has the following features: simple structure based on the basic boost topology that reduces the number of components; it uses the interleaving technique in order to reduce the current ripple at the input and output sides, reduction of the inductors size, higher frequency that reduce the output filter capacitor and easier power losses management. In addition, the use of an inner current control loop in the input side assures power sharing and easy module parallelization. The converter feeds a backup battery that maintains a DC voltage level at the main bus. An outer battery-charging loop controls the converter. Experimental validation is given for a four-phases 1 kW prototype at 100 kHz PWM switching frequency connected to a Nexa Ballard (1.2 kW–46 A) PEM fuel cell.