Brief Overview on Non-Isolated DC-DC Bidirectional Power Converter Topologies

DC-DC power electronics converters that are capable of reversing power flow are playing an increasingly crucial role in various applications, such as energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. Non-isolated bidirectional DC-DC converters may be simpler and have higher power densities than isolated converters. This is because they do not require a transformer and can consist of a single power stage, making them ideal in applications that do not require a high level of safety or galvanic isolation. The fundamental topologies are the result of replacing the unidirectional semiconductors of the basic converters with bidirectional semiconductors. However, modifications, improvements and new topologies have emerged aimed at reducing power densities, power losses and costs, while increasing reliability. This paper reviews some novel and basic bidirectional topologies and discusses the features of each one along with its typical applications. The results can be valuable in determining the most suitable topology for a specific application.