Review of DC Distribution Structures and Converters for Plant Factories With Renewables and Fuel Cells

Due to the abundant renewable and fossil energy resources, deserts become attractive areas to build large-scale low-carbon-emission industry systems involving plant factories with hydrogen fuel cells. For such plant factories, dc power distribution structure and converter technology are significant issues for planners. Electrical function blocks in a typical plant factory are described and the features of fuel cell power generation are introduced. To integrate renewables and fuel cells with satisfied reliability and resiliency, three dc distribution structures including radial, double-end and ring types are discussed. The ring structure is regarded as the most appropriate one in terms of its flexibility and sustainability. Furthermore, as the key devices in a dc microgrid, multiphase interleaved converters are reviewed on their topologies, control strategies and efficiencies. The three-level topology presents some advantages on high current quality and low power loss, so it is recommended to fuel cell applications and bipolar dc power distribution. These investigations are helpful to the designers of plant factories with renewables and fuel cells, especially of those in desert areas powered by independent dc microgrids.