Design and Control of a Dual Active Bridge Converter for Bipolar DC Microgrid Applications

The increasing demand for renewable energy sources and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure necessitates efficient and reliable power distribution systems. Bipolar DC grids provide flexibility, reliability, and safety compared to unipolar systems, reducing voltage magnitude and allowing for the connection of larger loads. Bipolar DC lowvoltage distribution networks significantly enhance power transmission and efficiency, especially when integrating distributed energy sources and energy storage systems. This paper focuses on designing, analysing, and modelling a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter with a voltage balancer for a bipolar DC system. The DAB converter is selected for its bidirectional power flow capability, making it suitable for gridconnected and islanded operations. A modulation and control strategy for efficient closed-loop operation is implemented using the Generalized Average Model (GAM) technique. The system is modelled in MATLAB-Simulink under varying load conditions, and the converter’s performance is evaluated in both open-loop and closed-loop modes. Simulation results demonstrate stable operation and effective voltage regulation under different load conditions.