Design and implementation of a novel high gain single-switch quadratic DC-DC converter

In this thesis, a new single-switch high-voltage-gain quadratic DC–DC converter is presented as an alternative to the classical DC–DC converter commonly used to boost the output voltage of fuel cells, photovoltaic panels, and electric vehicle charging stations. Renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic panels and fuel cells typically provide low output voltages, which may be insufficient to meet the voltage levels required by batteries and inverters. The high-gain quadratic DC–DC converter proposed in this study can efficiently step up low input voltages to high output voltages. Moreover, it achieves a significantly higher voltage gain—up to eight times the input voltage at a 50% duty cycle—compared to conventional boost, cascade, quadratic, and ladder-type high-gain converters. One of the most important advantages of the proposed converter is its single-switch structure, where the voltage stress on the switch is only half of the output voltage. Additionally, the converter features fewer components than many topologies reported in the literature and eliminates the need for a transformer, thereby avoiding the design complexities associated with magnetic components. An experimental prototype of the proposed converter was developed, and the simulation results were experimentally validated. As a result, the study contributes to science and technology by offering a promising solution for applications in the renewable energy sector.