Application of a Multiphase Interleaved DC-DC Converter for Power-to-Hydrogen Systems

Abstract

Power electronics plays a crucial role in the implementation of a clean hydrogen production system, whose last stage consists of a water electrolyzer requiring a DC power supply to be in operation. The most recent architectural solutions imply the use of an isolated DC-DC converter, collecting energy from medium voltage (MV) and delivering it to the electrolyzer. An equivalent electrical model of the electrolyzer is therefore needed, as well as an accurate design of the power converter stage, aiming at a high-efficiency operation of the electrolyzer’s cells and at a low-ripple supply current, to avoid premature degradation. This work investigates a full-bridge step-down isolated DC-DC converter, focusing on the opportunity of a multiphase interleaved configuration, particularly convenient for the proposed application. The considered maximum power level is 400 kW, representing a small-scale example of an industrial water electrolyzer supplied by a maximum DC voltage of 700 V. Input DC voltage is 7 kV. Power electronics’ simulation have been carried out, as well as model analysis of the proposed converter.