Modular Multi-Output Hybrid Converter for Residential Hybrid Loads

The future loads in residential applications have been envisaged to be hybrid in nature, i.e., mix of both ac and dc loads. Hybrid converters are gaining importance to supply both the dc and ac loads with less conversion stages, especially for residential loads in developing economies. This article proposes a modular multi-output hybrid converter (MOHC) for small residential applications. The proposed MOHC consists of a basic unit cell called boost derived hybrid converter (BDHC). A single BDHC generates a three-level ac output and a single dc output. The proposed MOHC is designed by cascading the multiple units of BDHC to generate higher valued, multilevel ac output voltage and multiple dc output voltages, from low valued dc input voltages. A coordinated modified phase disposition level shift control algorithm is presented to generate switching signals for MOHC, using ac and dc error signals. In this article, two basic unit cells of BDHC are used to demonstrate the performance of MOHC. The simulation results for the proposed MOHC have been obtained using PSCAD/EMTDC software. A laboratory model has been developed and the control algorithm is implemented on Spartan Piggy Pack (XCS-500E) field programmable gate array (FPGA) controller for verification of results.