Large scale pulsed power approaches, opportunities and challenges

Pulsed power applications are widespread-ranging from microscopic devices up to systems that are major installations and cost many millions of dollars. This paper will describe some of the larger systems that have been built and discuss their engineering challenges. Basic energy storage approaches used include electrostatic (capacitors), magnetic (inductors), inertial (flywheels), electrochemical (batteries), and fuel or explosives. Systems based on these approaches each have their own requirements and challenges but also have many common components.