ANALYSIS OF FIVE SWITCH SEVEN-LEVEL INVERTER WITH MODIFIED SEPIC CONVERTER FOR FUEL CELL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM

Abstract

This paper depicts a single-phase five-switch seven-level inverter topology with reduced number of switching devices for Fuel Cell Energy Conversion System (FCECS). The main objective of this topology is that the number of gate driving circuits and semiconductor devices are reduced, and further condenses the size and power consumption making the inverter circuit less complex. An improved characteristic of robustness and efficiency is achieved using Multi-Level Inverter (MLI) topologies with reduced switch count and passive components. This inverter is coupled with Modified Single Ended Primary Inductance Converter (SEPIC) structure which is more suitable for extraction of DC power from fuel cell with high voltage gain. This converter structure is also applicable to solar photovoltaic energy system. The single-phase seven-level FCECS is simulated using MATLAB Simulink and experimental result shows the features of the proposed inverter structure with high efficiency and low harmonic distortion.