Coupled Inductor Optimization of a High Step-up Interleaved Boost Converter

High step-up converters have been widely used in renewable energy systems and, recently, in automotive applications, owing to their high voltage gain capability. In these applications, power losses, mass, and volume are quite restrictive, because they affect the system operation and cost. However, it is difficult to optimize these characteristics simultaneously. Consequently, multi-objective optimization through the design automation of power electronics is useful to meet the efficiency and power density requirements. This paper presents a procedure to optimize the efficiency and power density of a coupled inductor used in a high step-up converter. In this procedure, a complete modelling of power losses and size is evaluated by comparing different materials and dimensions. In addition, 3D and 2D finite element modelling simulations are used to validate the magnetic core shapes and sizes. The results of this modelling stage are introduced into a multi-objective optimization algorithm to obtain a Pareto front. Finally, the optimization methodology is experimentally validated.

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