A New Soft-Switched Three-Port DC/DC Converter With High Voltage Gain and Reduced Number of Semiconductors for Hybrid Energy Applications

A new partly isolated three-port converter is introduced in this study for hybrid energy applications. Two boost circuits form the main input port and a bidirectional battery port of the converter. Therefore, both of them are of a current-fed type, making the converter more suitable for renewable energy applications. In addition, the boost circuits are benefited from a mutual active clamp circuit. The circuit in cooperation with the leakage inductance of transformers provides soft switching, while employing a few number of semiconductors. Furthermore, on the secondary side, two voltage-doubler rectifiers are merged. As a result, the converter employs less number of components, which participate in all power conversion modes. Since most of the renewable energy sources have a relatively low voltage level, the converter retains high voltage gain. These features have resulted in an efficient and inexpensive converter. A thorough analysis has been made and justified by simulation and experimental results.