Application of Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) in Power Systems: A Review (original) (raw)

Concept and Viability of High Temperature Superconductor Fault Current Limiter for Power Systems Protection

In today's technological era, electrical energy is one of the most vital forms of energy and is needed directly or indirectly in almost every field. As load gradually increases on a particular power system network, a higher operating current state leading to increased fault current level is attained. It is not possible to change the rating of the equipment and devices in the system or circuits to accommodate the increasing fault currents. Integration of High Temperature Superconductor Fault Current Limiter (HTSFCL) in power system network will provide instantaneous (sub cycle) current limitation abilities, which mitigates the effects and the buildup of fault currents in the power system network .The devices in electronic and electrical circuits are sensitive to disturbance and any disturbance or fault may damage the device permanently so that it must be replaced. The cost of equipment like circuit breakers and transformers in power grid are very expensive. Moreover, replacing damaged equipment is a time and labour consuming process, which also affects the reliability of power systems. It is not possible to completely eliminate the faults but it is possible to limit the current during fault in order to save the equipment and devices in the circuits or systems. One of the solutions to this age longed problem is the application of a current limiting device in the system. This paper is centered on the concepts and viability of High Temperature fault current limiters for power systems protection. The demonstration of this High Temperature Superconductor Fault Current Limiter (HTSFCL) in power systems has been explained and simulated using MATLAB tool. The results of the simulation with and without the fault are shown

Enhancement of Power System Capacity with Existing Switchgear using Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

—Superconducting fault current limiter is an attractive electronic device to solve the problem of very high fault current in the power system. In this paper, the performance of enhanced system capacity with existing switchgear by superconducting fault current limiter is studied. At first, a resistive type SFCL is modeled in Simulink. A three phase system with a nominal capacity is designed and then it is replaced by higher capacity keeping switchgear unchanged. Finally, the SFCL is introduced in the higher capacity system. Fault current in this system is limited by SFCL to the level of the presented switchgear. Thus, it is revealed that the outstanding current limiting performance of SFCL can be used to limit the fault to the level of the existing switchgear if the system capacity is improved.

Superconducting Fault Current Limiters - a Review

2011

Superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) based on high temperature superconductors (HTS) is an enabling technology for the extensive fault current limitation when compared to conventional circuit breakers (CBs). Recent advances in reliable production of long length high temperature superconductor (HTS) tapes have resulted in commercial application of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) in electrical utility network. For past 10 years, there is a significant progress in the development and commercialization of SFCL. This paper reviews various SFCL concepts and technological R&D status of SFCL. At present SFCLs are not available for commercial applications in the power systems but successful field trials have recently been undertaken.

Application of Superconducting Fault Current Limiters in Smart Grid System

2015

In this paper, an application of superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) has been proposed for Smart grid, which is an advancement of the main power grid. Decentralization of the main power grid into number of smaller grids is the key feature of the future smart grid. To enhance the reliability of the power system, interconnection of the distributed generating (DG) sources is required with the existing electrical grid. Presence of fault current due to extensive integration of DG sources within a smart grid causes failure of a successful implementation of smart grid. Superconducting fault current limiter being one of the innovative solutions in the highly interconnected smart grid has the capability to reduce the fault current level within the first cycle of the fault current, which results in an increased transient stability of the power system. A resistive type SFCL model has been developed in Simulink and the performance of SFCL at different locations has been monitored in th...

Non-superconducting fault current limiters

European Transactions on Electrical Power, 2009

This paper proposes the use of non-superconducting DC reactor type fault current limiter (NSFCL) instead of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) which has high cost and technology. Proposed FCL consists of three similar sets, each including a diode bridge and a single non-superconducting DC reactor. The device is connected in series with distribution line and it has almost no effect on the normal system operation. It is not necessary to use a control circuit and it has a simple and cheap power circuit. Design characteristics, analytical analysis and overall transient and steady-state performance of NSFCL in normal and fault conditions are presented in this paper. The comparison between experimental and simulation results indicate good agreements. The results confirm that the power loss of NSFCL is a very small percentage of distribution line power. Also, the system current and load voltage distortions due to using NSFCL is explained and simulated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Development, Testing and Installation of a Superconducting Fault Current Limiter for Medium Voltage Distribution Networks

Physics Procedia, 2012

Since 2009 Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico (RSE S.p.A.) has been involved in the design of resistive-type Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) for MV applications to be installed in the A2A Reti Elettriche S.p.A distribution grid in the Milano area. The project started with simulations, design and testing activities for a singlephase device; in this paper we report on the successive step, which is concerned with developing, testing and installation at the hosting utility of the final three-phase SFCL prototype. The result of this research activity is a resistive-type 9 kV/3.4 MVA SFCL device, based on first generation (1G) BSCCO tapes, developed by RSE in the framework of a R&D national project. Owing to the positive test results of partial discharge, dielectric and shortcircuit results the three-phase SFCL device is being to be installed in the A2A distribution grid in the Milano area and it is going to be soon energized starting a one-year long field-testing activity.

Fault Current Limiters in Power Systems: A Comprehensive Review

Energies

Power systems are becoming more and more complex in nature due to the integration of several power electronic devices. Protection of such systems and augmentation of reliability as well as stability highly depend on limiting the fault currents. Several fault current limiters (FCLs) have been applied in power systems as they provide rapid and efficient fault current limitation. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review of the application of different types of FCLs in power systems. Applications of superconducting and non-superconducting FCLs are categorized as: (1) application in generation, transmission and distribution networks; (2) application in alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) systems; (3) application in renewable energy resources integration; (4) application in distributed generation (DG); and (5) application for reliability, stability and fault ride through capability enhancement. Modeling, impact and control strategies of several FCLs in power systems are presented with practical implementation cases in different countries. Recommendations are provided to improve the performance of the FCLs in power systems with modification of its structures, optimal placement and proper control design. This review paper will be a good foundation for researchers working in power system stability issues and for industry to implement the ongoing research advancement in real systems.

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF SURGE CURRENT PROTECTION USING SUPERCONDUCTORS

European Scientific Journal, 2014

Increase in power generation capacity of electrical power systems has lead to increase in the fault current level which can exceed the maximum designed short-circuit ratings of the switchgear. Many conventional protective devices installed for protection of excessive fault current in electric power systems, especially at the power stations are the circuit breakers, tripped by over-current protection relay. They have the responsetime delay that allows initial of two or three fault current cycles to pass through before getting activated. Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) is innovative electric equipment which has the capability to reduce fault current level within the first cycle of fault current. The application of the fault current limiter (FCL) would not only decrease the stress on network devices, but also can offer a connection to improve the reliability of the power system. There are various types of FCLs, which are made of different superconducting materials and have different designs. They are categorized into three broad types: the resistive type, the inductive type and bridge type SFCL. We discussed the operating characteristics of SFCL introduced into a simplified power transmission model system. It was finally revealed that SFCL could satisfactorily bring about the functions of fault current suppression and power system stability improvement. In this report, results of investigations carried out to assess the effectiveness of the options available for fault level management as well as, where necessary, their impact on voltage profiles and system stability are presented and discussed.

Study of position of SFCL for maximum fault current limiter for power systems protection

2013

In this paper the fault current reduction using Superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) due to integration of wind power with power system is investigated. Fault current plays very important role in strengthening power system security due to the increase in the integration of wind power in recent year. To prevent, optimal position of SFCL is focused. The typical power system model including generation, transmission and distribution network with distributed energy resource was modeled to determine optimal position of the SFCL. In this work, a resistive type SFCL model was implemented by integrating Simulink and SimPowerSystem blocks in Matlab. As for a distributed energy resource, 10 MVA wind farm was considered for the simulation.