Simulation Studies and Development of Cascaded DC-DC Converter for Eco-Friendly Electric Cart System

In the realm of electric vehicles, the battery serves as a pivotal component necessitating frequent recharging. To maintain optimal battery performance, a proficient DC-DC converter is indispensable, ensuring a consistent and ripple-free output power. This study explores various DC-DC converter topologies and advocates for the implementation of a cascaded boost-buck converter (CBBC) specifically tailored for battery charging applications. Comparative analyses between the proposed boost-buck converter and existing non-isolated topologies are conducted, focusing on criteria such as load voltage ripple, load current ripple, source current ripple, and overall efficiency. Results indicate that the CBBC configuration significantly mitigates ripple while enhancing efficiency, making it a preferred choice for battery charging purposes. Simulation studies are conducted using MATLAB/SIMULINK, with validation performed through the construction of a laboratory model to corroborate the simulation outcomes. The converter charges the electric cart battery which acts as a source for a BLDC drive. The performance of the 1 kW drive train is tested practically with an electric cart powered by PV and the results are validated.