Parallel-Connected Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch Used as a Continuous Reactive Power Controller

Abstract

Power quality promotion has received increasing attention because of the wide use of semiconductor devices in recent decades. Reactive power regulation is crucial to ensuring the stable operation of power systems. In this study, a continuous reactive power controller, which is referred to as a parallel-connected magnetic energy recovery switch (MERS), is developed to regulate voltage or power factor in power grids. First, the operating principle is introduced, and a mathematical model is built. Second, a new control method for restraining current harmonics and the peak voltages of capacitors is presented. Using the proposed method, the MERS shows a wide range in terms of reactive power compensation. Finally, the performance of the proposed controller is demonstrated through computer simulations and experiments. Unlike STATCOMs, the proposed controller entails low losses, adopts a small dc capacitor, and offers ease of use.

Reactive Current Reshaping With Series Resonance Damping for Three-Phase Buck-Type Dynamic Capacitor

“…compensator (STATCOM) could compensate reactive power dynamically [3], whereas the DC-link electrolytic capacitor affects its application in low-power circumstances, which is not only replaced periodically with large maintenance costs, but also strongly related to the reliability of control system. Magnetic energy recovery switch (MERS) is applied in reactive power compensation due to its characteristic being equivalent to a variable capacitor, but power quality might decline except for a limited compensation range [4]- [6].…”