Controlled series capacitor converters applied to wave energy conversion buoys - a simulation study

The paper describes the operation of controlled series capacitor (CSC) circuits for wave energy conversion (WEC) buoys. CSCs are used in power transmission lines to improve the power factor. They operate at much lower switching frequency, compared to conventional PWM controlled rectifiers, promising a reduction in switching losses without power factor degradation. This paper describes the benefits and drawbacks of applying five different CSCs for WECs by PSPICE simulation. A comparison in terms of component count, voltage and current stress of each component, switching and conduction losses, system efficiencies and the power factors is provided.