Abstract
Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems differ from other storage systems presently in use, or considered for use, by the electric utility industry, principally because of the radically different technology involved. SMES also has certain unique advantages: it appears to be able to store and deliver energy at very high efficiency, and it can switch from the charge to discharge mode in a few tens of milliseconds. The combination of these two desirable characteristics distinguishes SMES from almost all other energy storage systems. This investigation was undertaken to discover if the nation and the electric utility industry might benefit sufficiently from the use of SMES systems to justify continued research and development support by DOE. At present, systems development is in a relatively early stage, and much component development for many of the major subsystems remains to be performed. It appears each SMES unit will be large and therefore expensive; also that the investment in research and development required to achieve final commercial success may be substantial.
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