Low Loss and Compact Grid Connecting Converter for Superconducting Magnet Using MERS

This paper proposes a new circuit topology for SMES (superconducting magnetic energy storage), which is based on a pulse link concept of two converters. A two quadrant dc chopper and a dc/ac converter connected via high frequency dc pulse link voltage. This concept has two advantages. All semi-conductor switches operate under soft-switching condition, which results in low loss generation and possibility to increase switching frequency. The other advantage is eliminating smoothing capacitor between two conversion stages. By these advantages, the proposed converter has possibility to achieve high efficiency and power density with rich controllability. This paper describes operation principles of the proposed converter. First experimental verification of this concept was conducted with small scale setup.