2014 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT ASIA)

A Multi-Input Converter for Hybrid Photovoltaic

Array/Wind Turbine/Fuel Cell and Battery Storage
System Connected AC Grid Network
M. A. Rosli N. Z. Yahaya and Z. Baharudin
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Bandar Seri Iskandar, Tronoh Bandar Seri Iskandar, Tronoh
31750 Perak, MALAYSIA 31750 Perak, MALAYSIA
Email: mohdazman_rosli@yahoo.com Email: norzaihar_yahaya@petronas.com.my

Abstract—The paper is to propose a multi-input power converter Malaysian Plan (2006-2010) have focused on targeting RE to
(MIPC) for hybrid photovoltaic (PV) array, wind turbine (WT), be significantly contributor for better utilization of energy
fuel cell (FC) and battery storage (BT) connected AC grid resources. An emphasis to further reduce the dependency on
network. The aim is to simplify the power system and reduce the petroleum provides for more effort to integrate alternative
cost. The proposed MIPC consists of a dc-dc converter and a dc-
ac inverter. The output power characteristics of the PV array,
source of energy [2].
WT and FC are introduced. The perturbation and observation Solar and wind energy are affected by some factors such as
(P&O) method is mainly used to accomplish the maximum power seasons, time, temperature and climatic condition and they are
point tracking (MPPT) algorithm for PV array and WT sources intermittent and stochastic. Therefore, a RE resource that
and set FC operation power on optimal range by proton exchange works alone cannot satisfy user’s requirements for a stable
membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The MIPC is capable to operate in power supply. A hybrid renewable energy generation system
five modes; first to third modes occur when the power only from (HREGS) combines more than one energy sources working
either renewable energy (RE) sources, fourth mode happens when together for electrical services is proposed to solve this
power is demanded from all RE sources and finally when no problem. Usually, two separate inverters for the PV array and
power are available from all RE sources. The proposed system
has been simulated by Matlab/Simulink software and the results
the WT are used for the hybrid PV and wind power system [3].
are discussed in details. The main advantage of implementing HREGS is the
enhancement of reliability of the system used and also can
Index Terms—Multi-input Converter; Power Inverter; reduce the battery size. Nowadays, these systems are most
Photovoltaic Array; Wind Turbine; Fuel Cell; Hybrid Power important and better than conventional systems [4].
System. However, in the combined sources power system, each
source needs a single input dc-dc converter, leading to a
I. INTRODUCTION complicated system structure and relative high cost [5]. In
The development of RE sources is continuously increasing order to simplify the system structure, the concept of multi-
because of the limited conventional energy sources such as oil, input power converters (MIPC) was proposed to accommodate
gas and others. Nowadays, fossil resources, the main body of several RE sources power. For a grid connected application,
the energy resources, are almost exhausted. Moreover, the RE sources can supply power both to local loads and utility
environmental concerns such as global warming are becoming grid network. The capacity of the battery storage for this
increasingly serious and hence require significant attention. RE system can be smaller if they are grid connected since the grid
sources are the answer to these needs and concerns, since they can be used as a backup power when all RE sources
are available as long as the sun is available and sustainable malfunction.
leading to small or no impact on the environment [1]. The cost In this paper, a HREGS consists of PV array, WT, FC and
of the PV arrays, WT and FC is expected to decrease in future battery storage system which is connected to AC grid network.
with the development of RE technologies. This system is simple and low in cost by combining several RE
In Malaysia, RE sources such as solar and wind energy sources into one converter. The objective of this paper is to
have become serious consideration because of this energy propose a MIPC for AC grid network connected hybrid PV
generated potential depends on the availability of the solar and array, WT, FC and battery storage system. The advantages of
wind resources that varies with location. The energy efficiency the proposed MIPC are: i) to reduce the number of
and RE under the Eight Malaysia Plan (2001-2005) and Ninth converters/inverters, and ii) power from RE can be delivered to
the grid individually or simultaneously.

This work is supported by MyRA fund no: 0153AB-J17

978-1-4799-1300-8/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE 25

 2014 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT ASIA)

II. OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF THE PROPOSED

MULTI-INPUT INVERTER
The use of separate single input converter/inverter in
HREGS leads to relatively complex configuration, high cost
and low integration. Alternatively, MIPC can be used to
replace the single input converter/inverter to reduce
complexity; improve power density and cost of hybrid power
Fig. 2 The equivalent circuit of a solar cell.
systems [6]. Fig. 1 shows the block diagram of proposed a
MIPC for HREGS. It consists of a dc-dc converter and a dc-ac
inverter. The converter is responsible to extract the maximum This equivalent circuit models the general form of equation
power point from PV array and WT by using P&O MPPT, set that relates current and voltage in a photovoltaic cell:
the power of FC in optimum operation range by PEMFC and
charge or discharge of battery by adjusting the duty ratio. The  q (V  IRs ) 
input dc voltage sources are obtained from the PV array,   V  IRs
I pv  I sc  I o  e kTc  1  (1)
PEMFC and rectified WT output voltage itself.   Rp
 

V pvcell  Vd  ( Rs  I pv ) (2)

V pv  N s  V pvcell (3)

Where Ipv is solar cell current (A), Isc is light generated

current (A), Io is diode saturation current (A), q is electron
charge of 1.6x10-19C, k is Boltzmann`s constant, 1.38x10-23
j/K, Tc is cell temperature in Kelvin (K), Vpv is solar cell output
voltage (V), Rs is solar cell series resistance (Ω), Rp is solar cell
shunt resistance (Ω) and Ns is a number of cells in series.
A number of approaches for cells and modules parameter
determination can be adopted using the datasheet parameters
specified by manufacturer or measured [10]. The performance
of solar cell is normally evaluated under the standard test
Fig. 1 Block diagram of proposed multi-input converter. condition (STC), where an average solar spectrum at AM 1.5 is
used, the irradiance is normalized to 1000W/m2, and the cell
The dc voltage from RE sources will be regulated by the temperature is defined as 25ºC. The specifications of the solar
converter with pulse width modulation (PWM) control scheme panel listed in Table I are used and implemented in the
with appropriate P&O MPPT algorithm to the MOSFET power proposed power hybrid system.
switches. The MIPC can draw a maximum power from both TABLE I
the PV array and the WT individually or simultaneously. Then,
SPECIFICATION OF SOLAR PANEL
the dc voltage output from converter will be regulated by the
dc-ac inverter with sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) Specification Model SM100
control to achieve the input and output power flow balance.
Peak power output 100 V
The expected output from the inverter is 240V AC, 4-5 A
current, 1000W power and 50 Hz frequency. Maximum power voltage 17.5 V
Maximum power current 5.72 W
Short circuit current 6.30 A
A. Photovoltaic Array
Open circuit voltage 21.5 V
The PV array can be constructed via series or parallel No. and type of cell 36 & 72 Mono cells
connected solar cells [7]. The electromagnetic radiation of
Working temperature -40°C ~ 90°C
solar energy can be directly converted to electricity through
photovoltaic effect [8]. The equivalent circuit of the general
model which consists of a photo current, a diode, a parallel B. Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm
resistor expressing a leakage current, and a series resistor
describing an internal resistance to the current flow can be To utilize the maximum output power from the PV array
shown in Fig. 2. The most common model used to predict and WT, an appropriate control algorithm must be adopted.
energy production in photovoltaic cell modeling is the single Generally, the MPPT efficiencies (η MPPT) of the three
diode circuit model [9].

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 2014 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT ASIA)

TABLE II
SPECIFICATION OF WIND TURBINE

Specification Model 100S

Rated power 100 W

Maximum power 130 W
Nominal voltage 12/24 V
Start-up wind speed 2.0 m/s
Rated wind speed 10 m/s
Survival wind speed 55 m/s
Generator Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Working temperature -40°C ~ 80°C

D. Fuel Cell
Fuel cells are the electrochemical devices that process H2
and oxygen to generate electric power, having water vapor as
Fig. 3 Flow chart of a perturbation & observation MPPT algorithm. their only by-product [13]. There are several kinds of fuel cells.
In particular, proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
common algorithms for PV array are shown in [11]. P&O has reached a high development status. In the last decade, a
method is one of the most commonly used [12]. great number of researchers have conducted studies to improve
the performance of the PEMFC, so that it can reach a
The perturbation of the output power is achieved by significant market penetration [1].
periodically changing (either increasing or decreasing) the PEMFC primarily consists of three components: a
controlled output power. Due to the fact the output power of negatively charged electrode (cathode), a positively charged
the PV and WT are not constant, the P&O method is used in electrode (anode) and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane.
this paper to determine the changing direction of the load. Fig. Hydrated hydrogen gas is supplied at the anode and air is
3 shows the flowchart of the MPPT algorithm with P&O supplied at the cathode. At the anode, hydrogen gas in the
method for the proposed MIPC. presence of the platinum catalyst is ionized into positively
charged hydrogen ions and negatively charged electrons. The
reaction at the anode is given as
C. Wind Turbine
Among various types of wind turbines, the permanent H 2  2 H   2e  (6)
magnet synchronous generator, which has higher reliability and
efficiency, is preferred in the proposed scheme [3]. The The output voltage of a single cell can be defined by the
available power of wind energy system and the mechanical following expression.
power that is generated by the wind are presented as equation
given:
VFC  E Nernst  Vact  Vohmic  Vconc (7)
1
Pwind  AV 3 (4) Where, VFC is the output voltage of a single cell, Enernst is the
2
electrochemical thermodynamic potential of the cell and it
1
Pm  AV 3C p ( ) (5) represents its reversible voltage, which is an ideal output
2 voltage. Vact is the voltage drop due to the activation of the
anode and cathode. Vohmic is a measure of ohmic voltage drop
Where, ρ is the air density (kg/m³), A is the area of the associated with the conduction of the protons through the solid
turbine blades (m²), V is the wind velocity (m/s), and Cp is the electrolyte and electrons through the internal electronic
power coefficient. The power coefficient is a nonlinear resistances and Vconc represents the voltage drop resulting from
function that represents the efficiency of the wind turbine to the concentration.
convert wind energy into mechanical energy. It depends on two The PEMFC have a robust design and are relatively easy to
variables: the tip speed ratio (TSR) and the pitch angle. The build [14]. A single fuel-cell produces an open-circuit voltage
TSR (λ) refers to a ratio of the turbine angular speed over the of 0.7-1 V. A PEMFC generally performs best at temperatures
wind speed. The pitch angle (β) refers to the angle in which the around 70-80 °C, at a reactant partial pressure of 3-5 atm, and a
turbine blades are aligned with respect to its longitudinal axis. membrane humidity of ~100% [1]. The specifications of the
The specifications of the wind turbine are listed in Table II. fuel cell are listed in Table III.

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 2014 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT ASIA)

TABLE III
SPECIFICATION OF FUEL CELL

Specification Model H-100PEM

Type of fuel cell Proton Exchange Membrane

Number of cells 20
Rated power 100 W
Performance 12 V @ 8.3 A
Reactants Hydrogen and Air
Max stack temperature 65 °C
H2 pressure 0.45-0.55 bar
Fig. 5 Fly-back circuit waveforms under continuous magnetic. flux.
Efficiency of stack 40 % @12 V

the power switches. The converter uses the principle of

III. POWER CONVERTER AND INVERTER magnetic coupling to combine more input sources. In this
A. Fly-back Converter paper, the converter will accept three input sources such as PV
Fly-back converter is derived from buck-boost converter array, WT and FC. Output from this converter is connected to
and is one of the dc-dc converters with electrical isolation that dc-ac inverter before the power will be transferred to the loads
provides a high frequency isolation using transformer. By and AC grid network.
placing a secondary winding on the inductor, it is possible to
achieve electrical isolation. The advantages of the fly-back C. Power Inverter
converter are simple isolated topology with a lower cost, least
number of power component, most understood, implemented For providing electric power to AC form, the DC output of
and supported topologies [5]. Fig. 4 shows the basic topology power converter is inverted using a single phase inverter.
of a fly-back converter circuit. Inverter is a device that converts the DC sources to AC sources.
Inverters are used in a wide range of applications, from small
switched power supplies for a computer to large electric utility
applications to transport bulk power.

Fig. 4 Fly-back converter topology.

The switching element used in this fly-back converter is

MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor),
which conducts completely off or on. This is because
MOSFET has high power rating and switching speed. The
output of the MOSFET is fed to high frequency transformer. Fig. 6. The block diagram of single-phase full bridge inverter with an LCL-
type output filter.
Consequently, the design circuit will deliver accurate output
value with low power losses. Fig. 6 depicts the building blocks for a typical inverter for
The waveforms in Fig. 5 correspond to steady state hybrids to grid applications. The blocks are controller with
operation under continuous magnetic flux. ‘tON’ denotes the auxiliary circuits such as protection and internal power
time for which the fly-back switch is ON during each supplies, energy buffer for power-decoupling between the
switching cycle. ‘T’ stands for the time period of the switching hybrid energy sources and the single-phase grid, Electro
cycle. The ratio (tON/T) is known as the duty cycle (δ) of the Magnetic Interference (EMI) filter for reducing conducted
switch. The primary winding current rises from I0 to Ip in ‘δT’ electrical noise, and finally; the power electronic circuit that
time. inverts the generated DC voltage to an AC current. Table IV
B. Multi-input Fly-back Converter show the specifications of the power inverter used in this work.
This paper proposes the isolated multi-input fly-back
converter in the HREGS which has only one transformer
primary windings. It can transfer the power to the load
individually or simultaneously with lower voltage stresses on

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 2014 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT ASIA)

TABLE IV
SPECIFICATION OF POWER INVERTER Vpri (V)

Specification 12V DC Input

Vsec (V)
Input Voltage, Continuous: 11 V – 15 V
Input Voltage, 10 sec.: 10 V – 18 V Time [1s/div]

Input Current per 10 W loading (nominal): 1A Fig. 11 Fly-back converter primary voltage and secondary voltage
(Two sources).
Input Current, No Load (typical): 0.5 A
AC Output Voltage: 230 V RMS
ID (A)
Output Power, Continuous: 1500 W
Frequency: 50 Hz

Time [2us/div]
IV. SIMULATION RESULTS Fig. 12 Fly-back converter diode output current (Two sources).

Edc (V)
Edc (V)

Iin (A)
Iin (A)
Pin (W)

Pin (W)
Vmpp (V)
Time [1s/div]
Time [1s/div]
Fig. 13 Input voltage, current and power of fly-back converter (Three
Fig. 7 Input voltage, current, power and Vmpp of fly-back converter (Single
sources).
source).

Vpri (V) Vpri (V)

Vsec (V)
Vsec (V)
Time [1s/div]

Time [1s/div] Fig. 14 Fly-back converter primary voltage and secondary voltage
Fig. 8 Fly-back converter primary voltage and secondary voltage (Three sources).
(Single source).
ID (A)

ID (A)

Time [2us/div]

Time [2us/div] Fig. 15 Fly-back converter diode output current (Three sources).
Fig. 9 Fly-back converter diode output current (Single source).

PO (W)
Edc (V)

Iin (A) Time [10s/div]

Fig. 16 Output power after fly-back converter.
Pin (W)

Time [1s/div]
Fig. 10 Input voltage, current and power of fly-back converter (Two sources). Vinv (V)

Iinv (A)

Time [10s/div]
Fig. 17 Power inverter voltage and current output.

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 2014 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies - Asia (ISGT ASIA)

The proposed system is implemented and simulated by [2] Z. M. Darus, N. Atikah, S. Nurhidayah, M. Azhar, K. Nizam, and O. A.
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operating conditions are shown to verify the performance of
the proposed MIPI system with the desired features. From the
results, it is confirmed that with a well-designed system
including a proper power inverter and selection of an efficient
proven algorithm, implementation of MPPT and PEMFC is
simple and can be easily constructed to achieve an acceptable
efficiency level of the PV modules, wind turbine and fuel-cell.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to thank the Universiti Teknologi
PETRONAS (UTP) and MyRA for providing financial support
in the publication of this work.

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