Considerations on boost inductor design in back-to-back converters for renewable energy

Abstract

In this paper, considerations on converter inductor design in PWM back-to-back converter based on Synchronous Active Front End (SAFE) are discussed. This is considered one of the most efficient converter topology that successfully manages the hard trade-off between high power size and power quality requirements at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). In renewable energy, in wind farm, this trade-off is getting harder due to the increasing size of generators. Despite all converter design parameters influence the performances in terms of harmonic generation, especially the converter inductor assumes a key role. The design of the inductance is carried out evaluating an admissible range according to imposed power quality requirements and power rate desired.