Highly efficient GaN HEMTs transformer-less single-phase inverter for grid-tied fuel cell

Transformer-less inverters are the most efficient approach to utilize renewable energy sources for grid tied applications. In this paper, a grid-tied fuel cell transformer-less single-phase inverter equipped with GaN HEMTs is proposed. The new topology is derived from conventional H5 inverter. The benefits of using GaN HEMTs are to enable the system to switch at high frequency, which will reduce the size, volume and cost of the system. Moreover, inverter control is designed and proposed to supply real power to the grid and to work as DSTATCOM to mitigate any voltage sag and compensate reactive power in the system. A comparison of the performance of the proposed inverter with Si IGBT and GaN HEMTs was presented to analyze the benefits of using WBG devices. The switching strategy of the new topology creates a new current path which reduces the conduction losses significantly. The analysis of the proposed system was carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK and PSIM and the results show that the proposed controller improves voltage stability, power quality, mitigates voltage sag and compensates reactive power. Accordingly, the results prove the effectiveness of the system for grid-tied applications.

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