Design and Performance Evaluation of SMC-Based DC-DC Converters for Microgrid Applications

In recent times, DC microgrids (MGs) have received significant attention due to environmental concerns and the demand for clean energies. Energy storage systems (ESSs) and photovoltaic (PV) systems are parts of DC MGs. This paper expands on the modeling and control of non-isolated, non-inverting four-switch buck-boost (FSBB) synchronous converters, which interface with a wide range of low-power electronic appliances. The proposed power converter can work efficiently both independently and in DC MGs. The charging and discharging of the battery are analyzed using the FSBB converter at a steady state in continuous conduction mode (CCM). A boost converter is connected to a PV system, which is then connected in parallel to the battery to provide voltages at the DC bus. Finally, another FSBB converter is connected to a resistive load that successfully performs the boost-and-buck operation with smooth transitions. Since these power converters possess uncertainties and non-linearities, it is not suitable to design linear controllers for these systems. Therefore, the controlling mechanism for these converters' operation is based on the sliding mode control (SMC). In this study, various macro-level interests were achieved using SMC. The MATLAB Simulink results successfully prove the precise reference tracking and robust stability in different operating modes of DC-DC converters in a MG structure.

Automated summary

This paper focuses on the modeling and control of non-isolated, non-inverting four-switch buck-boost synchronous converters in DC microgrids. The research demonstrates the efficient operation of the power converter both independently and in DC microgrids. Sliding mode control is utilized as the controlling mechanism to deal with uncertainties and non-linearities. The MATLAB simulation results successfully exhibit precise reference tracking and robust stability of the DC-DC converters in different operating modes of the microgrid structure.