Superconductor Fault Current Limiters

Abstract: In today’s high voltage transmission network, the introduction of new generation facilities, Independent Power Producers, and network upgrades can result in fault-current over-duty on existing protection equipment.  Conventional solutions to fault current over-duty such as the construction of new substations, splitting existing substation busses or multiple circuit breaker upgrades can be very expensive.  Other solutions such as current limiting reactors have unwanted side effects and can compromise system stability.  SuperPower’s High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) Matrix Fault Current Limiter (MFCL) offers a new solution to fault current over-duty problems.  The MFCL can quickly limit the contribution of fault current from new generation sources on the grid.  Operation at the transmission level is made possible by SuperPower’s proprietary “Matrix” technology and Nexans Superconductors Melt Cast Processed (MCP) materials.  This milestone-driven program includes the fabrication of three prototypes.  The final prototype will be designed to meet a specific utility application and will be installed on a 138kV transmission grid for demonstration in 2006.  The program has been underway since June 2002, and the presentation will provide a summary of the MFCL design features and the test results achieved to date.

Sponsored by the IEEE Power Engineering Society

Lunch:  Free for IEEE members, $5.00 for non-members.  For reservations, please contact Lou Tomaino at l.tomaino@ieee.org or leave him a message at 385-0967 by 5pm on Wednesday, November 19, 2003.