High-Boost Switched-Inductor Based Active Quasi-Z-Source Inverter for Renewable Energy Applications

This paper presents a high-boost active quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) with a switched-inductor structure, specifically designed for renewable energy integration applications such as photovoltaic (PV), wind energy, and fuel cell systems. The proposed topology improves upon conventional voltage-source inverters (VSIs) and traditional quasi-Z-source inverters (qZSIs) by providing a single-stage power conversion with high voltage gain, reduced component count, and enhanced reliability. Unlike traditional inverters that require additional DC–DC boost converters or suffer from low voltage boost capabilities, the proposed inverter utilizes an active switched-inductor network that significantly increases the voltage gain, allowing for efficient step-up operation from low-voltage DC sources. This active configuration minimizes the passive component count (especially inductors and capacitors) and reduces voltage and current stresses on key components. The inverter is designed to handle continuous input currents, making it ideal for renewable energy sources, which often exhibit variable and low-voltage output. Furthermore, the proposed design eliminates the need for dead time in the gate drive, ensuring improved power quality and system reliability. The simulation outcomes substantiate the superior efficacy of the proposed topology.