Modelling and control of a switched reluctance machine for application in a flywheel energy storage system

Alternative sources of energy are becoming more relevant in several countries, thus creating new challenges in terms of power flows and voltage stability. In this scenario, energy storage devices grow in relevance, in order to maintain standard requirements of energy quality. Among several existing methods to store energy, flywheels can deliver a good performance in applications demanding high power density for short periods of time. In this paper, a switched reluctance machine is investigated in order to operate on a flywheel energy storage system, presenting the preliminary results for operation as a motor, during the charging. Mathematical and nonlinear simulation model are presented. A hysteresis current controller and a linear PI speed controller are proposed, and simulation results are presented. Also, an experimental system is described, built to validate the model and performance of proposed controllers.