This paper presents a computationally efficient method for modelling an impact of the converter drive on the power grid. The formalized variable structure method (FVSM) allows for comprehensive studies of the effect on the power grid and examining the relation between this effect and the number of drive and feeding line parameters. In order to obtain a comprehensive model along with the model of the power grid, the parameters that are applied originate from a drive of a coal-fired power station. These parameters have been determined based on assessment and estimation. The estimation process was conducted with the aid of a model that allows for the commutation of power electronic elements. The authors confirmed that the model was correct by comparing empirical and theoretical voltage and current waveforms. Harmonic content of the voltage and current in the power grid which feeds the drive are considered to be the measure of the converter drive impact on the power grid. The standard method for the reduction of a harmonic content in the voltage and current involves the application of line reactors and distribution or converter transformers. As an example, the authors determine the impact of the drive on the power grid with respect to the adopted parameters of the line reactor. This example presents FVSM abilities with regard to simulation of complex systems that contain power grid components and converter drives.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model of a novel quasi-resonant boost converter with a tapped inductor. This converter combines the advantages of zero voltage quasi-resonant techniques and different conduction modes with the possibility of obtaining a high voltage conversion ratio by using a tapped inductor, which results in high converter efficiency and soft switching in the whole output power range. The paper contains an analysis of converter operation, a determination of voltage conversion ratio and the maximum voltage across power semiconductor switches as well as a discussion of control methods in discontinuous, critical, and continuous conduction modes. In order to verify the novelty of the proposed converter, a laboratory prototype of 300 W power was built. The highest efficiency η  = 94.7% was measured with the output power P_o =  260 W and the input voltage V_in = 50 V. The lowest efficiency of 90.7% was obtained for the input voltage V_in  = 30 V and the output power P_o = 75 W. The model was tested at input voltages (30–50) V, output voltage 380 V and maximum switching frequency 100 kHz.

DC-DC converters are popular switch-mode electronic circuits used in power supply systems of many electronic devices. Designing such converters requires reliable computation methods and models of components contained in these converters, allowing for accurate and fast computations of their characteristics. In the paper, a new averaged model of a diodetransistor switch containing an IGBT is proposed. The form of the developed model is presented. Its accuracy is verified by comparing the computed characteristics of the boost converter with the characteristics computed in SPICE using a transient analysis and literature models of a diode and an IGBT. The obtained results of computations proved the usefulness of the proposed model.

The paper presents a three-phase grid-tied converter operated under unbalanced and distorted grid voltage conditions, using a multi-oscillatory current controller to provide high quality phase currents. The aim of this study is to introduce a systematic design of the current control loop. A distinctive feature of the proposed method is that the designer needs to define the required response and the disturbance characteristic, rather than usually unintuitive coefficients of controllers. Most common approach to tuning a state-feedback controller use linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) technique or pole-placement method. The tuning process for those methods usually comes down to guessing several parameters. For more complex systems including multi-oscillatory terms, control system tuning is unintuitive and cannot be effectively done by trial and error method. This paper proposes particle swarm optimization to find the optimal weights in a cost function for the LQR procedure. Complete settings for optimization procedure and numerical model are presented. Our goal here is to demonstrate an original design workflow. The proposed method has been verified in experimental study at a 10 kW laboratory setup.

The Polish basis of dolomites is remarkable. Their total reserves reported in the 62 deposits listed in current data bases of mineral resources amount to 1,500,000 t. However, there is a shortage of the so-called converter dolomites of high quality applicable in manufacturing of refractory materials. Such dolomites of the Triassic age have been quarried for many years in the Brudzowice and Ząbkowice Śląskie I deposits in the Silesian-Cracow region. The Libiąż deposit is perspective of this area, considering the character and properties of its dolomites. The dolomites of the Nowa Wioska and Stare Gliny deposits belong into the same group although their applying as refractories seems to be disputable at the moment and would require more detailed analyses of the chemical composition and firing properties of the rocks mentioned. The reason is that the dolomites of these deposits have been reported andmassively quarried up to now mainly for civil engineering (roads, buildings, etc.). Unfortunately, worsening properties of the dolomites occurring in Żelatowa, still another large and developed deposit of the region, have been excluded using these rocks in producing of refractories. Among the group of reserve converter dolomite deposits, the best rock properties have been found in four of them, i.e., Chruszczobród, Chruszczobród I, Chruszczobród II and Libiąż Wielki. The survey presented indicates that there are some possibilities of including dolomites of the Winna and, to a lesser degree, Radkowice-Podwole deposits as the raw materials in manufacturing of refractories. Again, more detailed analyses of the chemical composition and petrographical development, mainly of the grain size distribution, would be required. Dolomitic marbles of the Lower Silesia region represent a separate problem. Traditionally, they have been considered to be non-applicable in manufacturing of refractories because of too coarse grain size of these rocks. It should be stressed, however, that the Lower Silesian marbles occur in several varieties and among them also fineand coarse-grained dolomites occur. Their finest and chemically purest varieties can be an interesting option in extending the basis of refractory dolomitic raw materials in Poland, although selective quarrying would be required in such a case.

In the hybrid multiple H-bridge topology of beam supply, the load change of a DC/DC full-bridge converter can greatly affect the output voltage during onsite operation. An improved sliding mode control (SMC) strategy is thus proposed in this paper, where the rate of switching control is added to the law of system equivalent control to create a law that can realize a complete sliding mode control. Considering the special operating conditions of the load can have an influence on the performance of the controller, the impact of uncertainty existing in onsite conditions is suppressed with the proposed strategy utilized. The validity of the proposed strategy, finally, is verified by simulation, which proves the outperformance of the system in both robustness and dynamics.

In this fast-changing environmental condition, the effect of fossil fuel in vehicle is a significant concern. Many sustainable sources are being studied to replace the exhausting fossil fuel in most of the countries. This paper surveys the types of electric vehicle’s energy sources and current scenario of the onroad electric vehicle and its technical challenges. It summarizes the number of state-of-the-art research progresses in bidirectional dcdc converters and its control strategies reported in last two decades. The performance of the various topologies of bidirectional dc-dc converters is also tabulated along with their references. Hence, this work will present a clear view on the development of state-of-the-art topologies in bidirectional dc-dc converters. This review paper will be a guide for the researchers for selecting suitable bidirectional traction dc-dc converters for electric vehicle and it gives the clear picture of this research field.

The measurement of frequency characteristics, like magnitude and phase, related to a specific transfer function of DC–DC converters, can be a difficult task – especially when the measured signal approaches the boundary of a small-signal model validity (i:e. 1/3 of the switching frequency fS). It is hard to find a paper where authors mention the measurement techniques they use to draw frequency characteristics. Meanwhile the presence of noise in the output signal does not enable to directly measure the gain and the phase shift between the input and output signals. In such situations additional analysis is required in order to achieve a reliable result. This paper contains a description of a few methods that can be used to analyse measured signals in order to determine the gain and the phase shift of a specific transfer function. They enable to verify mathematical models in a wide range of frequencies (up to 1/3 fS). The methods use signals measured in the time domain and can be implemented in mathematical software such as Matlab or Scilab.

Large-signal input characteristics of three DC–DC converter types: buck, boost and flyback working in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), obtained by precise large signal PSpice simulations, calculations based on averaged models and measurements are presented. The parasitic resistances of the converter components are included in the simulations. The specific features of the input characteristics in theDCMand the differences between the continuous conduction mode (CCM) and DCM are discussed.

Large-signal input characteristics of three DC–DC converter types: buck, boost and flyback working in the continuous conduction mode (CCM), obtained by simulations and measurements are investigated. The results of investigations are presented in the form of the analytical formulas and the exemplary results of the measurements and two forms of simulations: based on the full description of the converter components and on the averaged models. The parasitic resistances of the converter components are included in the simulations and their influence on the simulation results is discussed.

The uncontrolled power flow in the AC power system caused by renewable energy sources (restless sources, distributed energy sources), dynamic loads, etc., is one of many causes of voltage perturbation, along with others, such as switching effects, faults, and adverse weather conditions. This paper presents a three-phase voltage and power flow controller, based on direct PWM AC/AC converters. The proposed solution is intended to protect sensitive loads against voltage fluctuation and problems with power flow control in an AC power system. In comparison to other solutions, such as DVR, UPFC, the presented solution is based on bipolar matrix choppers and operates without a DC energy storage unit or DC link. The proposed solution is able to compensate 50% voltage sags, in the case of three-phase symmetrical voltage perturbation, and single phase voltage interruptions. Additionally, by means of a voltage phase control with a range of ±60◦ in each phase, it is possible to control the power flow in an AC power system. The paper presents an operational description, a theoretical analysis based on the averaged state space method and four terminal descriptions, and the experimental test results from a 1 kVA laboratory model operating under active load.