Hardware-In-the-Loop Experiments with a 5 MW HTS Propulsion Motor at Florida State University's Power Test Facility

Abstract

Some aspects unique to the emerging high temperature superconducting (HTS) rotating machinery technology, such as increased AC losses in the HTS winding of the rotor circuit due to low frequency load changes, requires advanced experimental methods for R&D testing and, eventually, type testing. Therefore, this paper describes a novel 5 MW rated hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test facility established at the center for advanced power systems at Florida State University. Integrated with a state-of-the-art digital real-time simulator this facility allows for highly complex HIL experiments in order to subject devices under test to realistic, real-life operating conditions. In particular, the paper discusses experiences from the world's first HIL test of a 5 MW HTS synchronous machine, designed and built as a prototype ship propulsion motor technology demonstrator. During sea-state tests, a sophisticated hydrodynamic simulation model - incorporating random wave height and frequency spectra, simulated ship velocity, and the actual motor speed feedback - provided real-time torque reference signals to dynamometers loading the HTS motor. Results from HIL tests are provided and discussed in addition to an outlook on additional experimental procedures which could be applied to HTS machines for better characterization and even more rigorous real-life testing.