The converter of superconducting magnetic energy storage（SMES） is the key component for realizing the bidirectional power flow between the superconducting magnet and the power grid. However

the misoperation of switches affected by the electromagnetism may lead to the shoot-through state of a converter bridge

which will greatly endanger the normal operation of the SMES system. Therefore

we put forward a novel topology of an SMES system based on a Z-source converter（ZSC） to improve the reliability of operation. The SMES converters have strong nonlinear characteristics; therefore

precise control strategies are the preconditions for the application of the SMES systems. For the AC-side converter and DC-side chopper of ZSC-SMES

the control strategies based on the passivity theory and dynamic evolution theory are proposed respectively. The simulation results show that the ZSC-SMES based on the proposed control strategies has a characteristic of high energy output and excellent tracking ability of power instructions

and can effectively track the reference DC-side voltage. Compared with the conventional PI method

the proposed strategies have better dynamic response ability and robustness.