Mitigation of power system collapse through active dynamic buffers

Power electronics continues to grow as an element of electrical loads. Most such loads, including motor drives, computer power supplies, and compact fluorescent lighting, serve to "isolate" the load dynamics from the utility grid. The unfortunate effect is that these loads enforce local constant power behavior, which tends to de-stabilize the supply system. This paper reviews the power buffer concept, in which a power electronics load takes advantage of dynamic isolation to present a desired dynamic behavior to the grid. Through simulations and experimental results power buffers are shown to prevent system instabilities and voltage collapse.