The widespread implementation of DC energy distribution systems is hindered by the multiple challenges that subsist regarding the protection of these systems. Many DC circuit breaker (DCCB) topologies have been proposed to overcome the challenges of DC protection, including the absence of zero-crossing points and very fast rising rate of the fault current. Within DC circuit breaker topologies, solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) reveal as a good option for the protection of low-voltage DC systems and are known for their fast operation. Despite the important advancements made so far in SSCB technology, cost reduction, structural complexity minimization, control optimization, and reliability remain some of the priorities in the construction of new SSCBs. To promote a simpler and cost-effective solution, this paper provides a SSCB structure suitable to simultaneously provide protection for two loads, featuring reduced components count and simple control. Besides, a single energy absorbing component is used for the whole SSCB, while maintaining the safe operation of the SSCB and, consequently, of the whole grid.

Multilevel DC–DC power conversion solutions reveal excellent features for implementation in energy management and storage applications, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging. Conventional control approaches applied to multilevel converters show weaknesses in preserving optimal conversion performance. Despite the potential improvements in terms of control robustness, attainable through the exploitation of model-based predictive control (MBPC) approaches, parameter sensitivity of such control approaches shows potential to deteriorate the response of the converter. To overcome such challenge, this paper describes a novel Model-Free Predictive Control (MFPC) approach suitable for multilevel DC–DC power converters, convening in a single solution the benefits of predictive control and insensitivity against parameter uncertainty, which is particularly concerning in energy storage applications. A set of operation scenarios confirm the effectiveness of the proposed MFPC in both steady- and transient-states.

This paper proposes a single inductor multiple output (SIMO) driver architecture for RGB LEDs with hybrid dimming technique, for use in large installation, with minimal loss of luminous flux and light flickering. Among other benefits, the proposed dimming technique provides improved accuracy in the color control, while maintaining low current ripple. Such advantages are easily attained, even when resorting to a simple SIMO LED driver. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed hardware and software architecture, a comprehensive set of scenarios is established and tested resorting to a simulation model of the LED system.

Most of the state-of-the-art LED drivers employed in lighting applications adopt current control strategies that rely on current sensing resistors. In multi-string LED lighting systems, commonly based on the single inductor multiple output (SIMO) topology, a current sensing resistor is typically inserted in each string, allowing to precisely control the current flowing through each string. This current control approach presents critical drawbacks: 1) the overall energy conversion efficiency is seriously affected by the fairly high number of current sensing resistors; 2) the system complexity is enhanced, as each LED string requires a current control loop; 3) the lifetime of both LEDs and drivers suffers an important depreciation due to the additional power losses incurred by the current sensing resistors. To overcome such drawbacks, this paper proposes a sensorless current control strategy suitable for LED drivers operated at continuous conduction mode (CCM), feeding multi-string LED lighting systems, which obviates the requirement of individual string current control. The proposed control strategy is implemented and validated on a fault-tolerant SIMO LED driver.

This paper presents a fault-tolerant permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) drive for wind turbine systems, with the ability to handle power semiconductor open-circuit (O-C) faults in the full-scale back-to-back converter. The fault-tolerant topology consists of a five-leg converter, with a shared leg connected to a generator phase and to its corresponding grid phase. The main contribution of this paper consists on the development of an alternative vector-control-based pulse-width-modulation (PWM) control scheme for both machine-side converter (MSC) and grid-side converter (GSC), allowing to reduce the dc-bus voltage ratings. Moreover, a reliable fault diagnosis algorithm is also integrated, providing the information required to instantaneously trigger fault-tolerant remedial strategies, without any additional sensors. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed fault-tolerant PMSG drive.

DC-DC converters face an exponential growth in the context of the ever-increasing use of DC grids, namely at the home and business levels. In this domain, efficiency and reliability are of major concern. Solutions already available in the literature concerning fault-tolerant DC-DC converters do not consider the application of such converters in household environments and their constraints. To solve this problem, this work presents a simple, yet effective, way to detect power switches open-circuit faults in DC-DC converters that use a current control strategy. In opposition to the complex model-based approaches, this paper introduces an intuitive signal-based analysis for fault detection purposes. The proposed method was simulated in an interleaved DC-DC boost converter, and the obtained results demonstrate its effectiveness to detect multiple faults in the converter power switches, even under harsh operating conditions.