Design and testing of a DC Power Electronics Assembly for Experiments involving SMES and Hybrid Storage

Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) systems offer efficient storage of electrical energy through the use of superconducting coils. However, practical experimentation with SMES systems is limited due to the complexity and cost associated with their development and operation. This paper presents the design and construction of a laboratory power electronics assembly aimed at performing small-scale SMES system tests. The assembly integrates components for linking SMES systems, batteries, loads, and sources like photovoltaic (PV) simulators to a common DC bus. Key components include half-bridge and full-bridge DC choppers, a battery energy storage system (BESS) controller and a DC load controller. The design methodology, construction procedures and cooling simulations are discussed in detail. Experimental testing of the assembly demonstrates its effectiveness in charging, idling, and discharging of the SMES system. Overall, this study contributes to advancing practical experimentation with SMES systems, offering insights into construction methodologies and experimental outcomes.