Conceptual Design of a Resistive 154-kV/2-kA Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

Abstract

The expansion of electric capacity is inevitable to satisfy the demands of rapid economic growth. An increase in electricity load causes a decrease in load impedance. As a result, the fault current would exceed the capacity limit for the short-circuit breaker installed in a power system. Fault current that exceeds the rating of a conventional circuit breaker will degrade the stability of the power grid system. Many types of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) fault current limiters (FCLs) have been developed to enhance the stability and reliability of a power grid system. In this paper, a resistive HTS FCL using 2G HTS wires is designed, taking into consideration the demand quantity of 2G HTS wires, the winding type of the coils, the number of series and parallel connections, electrical insulation, and mechanical stability in the fault state. The length of the superconducting coils and the number of series and parallel connections are calculated. A finite-element method is used to perform dielectric and mechanical design analysis.