Novel High Step-Up DC-DC Converter for Fuel Cell Energy Conversion System

A novel high step-up dc–dc converter for fuel cell energy conversion is presented in this paper. The proposed converter utilizes a multiwinding coupled inductor and a voltage doubler to achieve high step-up voltage gain. The voltage on the active switch is clamped, and the energy stored in the leakage inductor is recycled. Therefore, the voltage stress on the active switch is reduced, and the conversion efficiency is improved. Finally, a 750-W laboratory prototype converter supplied by a proton exchange membrane fuel cell power source and an output voltage of 400 V is implemented. The experimental results verify the performances, including high voltage gain, high conversion efficiency, and the effective suppression of the voltage stress on power devices. The proposed high step-up converter can feasibly be used for lowinput-voltage fuel cell power conversion applications.