An utility interactive power electronics interface for alternate/renewable energy systems

The foreseeable shortages in conventional sources of electric power has increased the emphasis on the research and development of alternate sources of energy. In order to make a noteworthy impact, the alternate sources of energy need to be utility interactive by means of a power electronic interface (a DC to AC converter). The inherent assumption in the control of DC to AC converters is, that the DC voltage available at the input of the converter is constant. However, when the input is an unregulated DC source such as a battery, fuel cell, photovoltaic cells or any other form of alternate source, maintenance of the constant DC voltage at the input of the converter is often impossible. A modified inverter switching technique is proposed for the interface with the utility grid such that the AC output of the inverter becomes immune to fluctuations in the unregulated input DC obtained from alternate energy sources.