A multiple-input DC/DC converter for renewable energy systems

This paper presents a multiple-input DC/DC converter for renewable energy systems. The proposed DC/DC converter can be used to obtain well-regulated output voltage from several power sources, such as wind turbines, photovoltaic arrays, fuel cells, etc. The energy provided by these power sources can be simultaneously transferred into the load. The proposed multiple-input DC/DC converter has the advantages of simple configuration, fewer components, lower cost and high efficiency. The operating principle, theoretical analysis, and design criteria are provided in this paper. A laboratory prototype with two different power sources was successfully implemented and tested. The simulation and experimental results are given to verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme.