Modelling and Design of Wide Voltage Range Buck-Boost Converter for Fuel Cell Applications

Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) require efficient power management to maintain optimal battery performance despite fluctuating fuel cell outputs. In this paper, a novel DC-DC converter capable of operating in both buck and boost modes is proposed to address these challenges. Positioned between the battery and fuel cell, the converter ensures a stable voltage supply, enhancing power flow capability. The proposed topology can provide high voltage gain, enabling effective voltage regulation despite a wide range of input variations in the fuel cell, which is crucial for consistent battery charging. Its design employs fewer components than traditional converters, reducing complexity, cost, and potential points of failure. The incorporation of a high-frequency transformer ensures electrical isolation between the input (fuel cell) and output (battery), improving safety by protecting the battery and other vehicle components from potential electrical faults or fluctuations in the FC output. The compact design and efficient operation of the presented converter results in high power density, contributing to overall vehicle design optimization and performance. The design of the presented converter is verified in the MATLAB Simulink, and the corresponding results are shown.