Part II: State-of-the-Art Technologies of Solar-Powered DC Microgrid with Hybrid Energy Storage Systems: Converter Topologies

Abstract

Over the past few years, there have been significant advancements in Microgrid (MG) systems, particularly in the field of power electronics. These advancements aim to address the needs of the grid and loads, while integrating low-voltage, non-linear, and highly sensitive power sources, such as solar PV modules, batteries, and supercapacitors. It is crucial to select the appropriate converter configuration and power converters in MG systems, as they greatly impact their optimal performance. To achieve the best results, numerous architectures and converter configurations have been suggested for integrating different energy sources. As a result, a considerable number of research articles have been published, necessitating a thorough review. This article continues studies of Part I and presents a comprehensive overview of various architectures based on the arrangement of different sources and provides a detailed analysis and discussion of these architectures. This article covers thirty-three different categories of DC-DC converters, both isolated and non-isolated. These converters are divided into subcategories, such as conventional type, switched-capacitor type, soft-switching type, multi-phase type, and multilevel type. The article also evaluates the suitability of these topologies based on factors such as high conversion gain, power decoupling, efficiency, isolation, power handling capabilities, and compact design. The critical examination and comparative study presented in this work can be valuable for industry professionals and academics in selecting the most suitable architectural and power converter topologies for optimal performance.