Voltage regulated hybrid DC power source using supercapacitors as energy storage device

The management of embedded electrical energy needs a storage system with high dynamic performances in order to shave transient power peaks and to compensate for the intrinsic limitations of the main source. The use of supercapacitors for this storage system is quite suitable because of appropriate electrical characteristics (huge capacitance, weak series resistance, high specific energy, high specific power), direct storage (energy ready for use) and easy control by power electronic conversion. This paper deals with the conception and realisation of a voltage regulated hybrid DC power source using supercapacitors as an auxiliary storage device. Here, we present the structure, control principle and results associated with experimental validation. Our interest will be focused on the management of transient power peaks. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.