High-Efficiency Quadratic Boost Converter for Renewable Energy

Researchers at University Teknologi Malaysia have introduced a novel high-gain, high-efficiency quadratic boost converter (QBC) designed for renewable energy applications, specifically for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This converter achieves high voltage gain by incorporating a coupled inductor with a restricted duty cycle, minimizing extreme duty cycle adjustments that impact efficiency and cause component stress. The converter operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM) and is extensively analyzed to assess its performance across various operating conditions.

Key Takeaways:

• The QBC is crucial in immediate technologies, including renewable energy, electric vehicles (EV), DC microgrids, and EV charging stations, where efficient and dependable power conversion is essential.
• The converter achieves high voltage gain by incorporating a coupled inductor with a restricted duty cycle, which minimizes the need for extreme duty cycle adjustments that often impact efficiency and cause component stress.
• The converter operated in continuous conduction mode (CCM) is extensively analyzed to assess its performance across various operating conditions.
• The converter's 250 W hardware prototype has been built and tested, demonstrating its practical suitability and effectiveness for high-demand renewable energy applications.
• The research concluded that experimental findings affirm the converter's high efficiency and reliable performance in real-world situations.
• The converter compares voltage gain, efficiency, and stress on components with several recent QBCs for a comprehensive performance assessment.

Statistics:

• The QBC achieved high voltage gain by incorporating a coupled inductor with a restricted duty cycle.
• The converter operated at a duty cycle of 0.5.
• The converter's efficiency was found to be 95% at high load conditions.
• The converter's voltage stress on semiconductor components was reduced by 30% compared to recent QBCs.
• The converter's prototype was built and tested in a 250 W capacity.

Sources:

• High Gain and High Efficiency Soft Switching Quadratic Boost Converter for Renewable Energy Applications. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):36238.
• University Teknologi Malaysia, Dept. of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.
• Nature Portfolio, Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany.
• University Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia.
• University Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty Address, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia.