Power balance control of multiple-input DC-DC power converter for hybrid vehicles

In this paper design of voltage and current conditioning system is proposed for a multiple input dc-dc power electronic converter (MIPEC) devoted to combine hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) different on-board energy sources; the proposed arrangement for the propulsion system includes fuel cell (FC), ultra-capacitor (UC) tank, and battery unit system (BU). In terms of power sources, the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (FCs) are being increasingly accepted as the most appropriate supply for electric vehicles (EVs) because they offer clean and efficient energy without penalizing performance or driving range. The FC generator, that is the main energy source, has poor efficiency at light load thus the BU is devoted to supply the power at such situation in order to save total efficiency. The UC tank is used to satisfy acceleration and regenerative braking requirements accomplishing the system load transients and improving the on-board BU life time. The paper is mainly focused on modeling the converter for both steady-state and dynamic behavior. Regulators tuning is also carried out, as well complete control system implementation on DSP board is accomplished. Information on carried on experimental test campaign are provided. Achieved results show power balancing appropriate to characteristics of generation and storage units.