Superconducting magnetic energy storage

Abstract

Abstract After a brief review of the reasons for and forms of secondary energy storage and of the elements and history of inductive or magnetic storage, we discuss the four distinct areas in which superconducting magnetic energy storage can be applied. Differences in energy transfer times place different requirements on the storage coil, on the switch or transfer element, and on the energy losses in the superconductor. We report on designs and experiments in one of these areas with 2 to 300 kJ units, and on the analysis and plans for an installation that is to provide 250 MJ of plasma compression energy for the theta-pinch controlled thermonuclear fusion test reactor. We point out those elements of inductive storage that need further development before a theta-pinch fusion reactor can become economically competitive. Finally, we compare the size and costs of the energy storage components of these systems with similar and with larger inductive storage systems that are to interact reversibly with electric utility networks.