Design and analysis of electric spring based on battery-less current-source inverter

PurposeElectric spring (ES) is a demand response method that can stabilize the voltage of critical loads and improve power quality, especially in a weak power grid with a high proportion of renewable energy sources. Most of existing ESs are implemented by voltage-source inverter (VSI), which has some shortcomings. For example, the DC-link capacitor limits the service life of ES, and the battery is costly and hard to recycle. Besides, conventional VSI cannot boost the voltage, which limits the application of ES in high-voltage occasions. This study aims to propose a novel scheme of ES to solve the above problems.Design/methodology/approachIn this work, an ES topology based on current-source inverter (CSI) without a battery is presented, and a direct current control strategy is proposed. The operating principles, voltage regulation range and parameter design of the proposed ES are discussed in detail.FindingsThe proposed ES is applicable to various voltage levels, and the harmonics are effectively suppressed, which have been validated via the experimental results in both ideal and distorted grid conditions.Originality/valueAn ES topology based on battery-less CSI is proposed for the first time, which reduces the cost and prolongs the service time of ES. A novel control strategy is proposed to realize the functions of voltage regulation and harmonic suppression.