Cascaded Boost Multilevel Converter for Distributed Generation Systems

This paper presents a new cascaded boost multilevel converter topology for distributed generation (DG) systems. Most of DG systems, such as photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine and fuel cells, normally require the complex structure power converters, which makes the system expensive, complex and hard to control. However, the proposed converter topology can generate a much higher output voltage just by using the standard low-voltage switch devices and low voltage DC-sources in a simplified structure, also enhancing the reliability of the switch devices. Simulation and experimental results with a 1.2kW system are presented to validate the proposed topology and control method.