Superconducting fault current limiter for grid connected power system protection

Abstract

Now-a-days, superconducting fault current limiters are in general found increasing in land-based power systems due to the enhancement of the distribution system. To limit this current, up-gradation of expensive current limiting equipments is investigated by several researchers, and various fault current limiting techniques have been developed. Superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) is used to reduce the effect of unforeseen disturbances within the grid in transmission and distribution system. In smart-grid trend, SFCL has proved itself to be most promising device. In this paper, SFCL is implemented in MATLAB/ SIMULINK environment for grid connected power system protection. A transient analysis is performed for 3-phase L-G faults at different locations of the grid. To validate the effectiveness of the device in the grid, transient analysis without SFCL, is performed. With this analysis optimal location for SFCL installation is identified. While analysis, multi-criteria formulation is considered and number of SFCL are installed within the grid for better protection. Amongst number of varieties of SFCL devices, used in power system, resistive type SFCL is discussed and analyzed in this paper. For simulation purpose, a wind farm with a capacity of 10 MVA is modeled. The methodology developed shows the optimal placement of the SFCL and results obtained ratify the application of SFCL.