SMES for power utility applications: a review of technical and cost considerations

Abstract

Advances in both superconducting technologies and the necessary power electronics interface have made SMES a viable technology for high power utility and defense applications. The power industry's demands for more flexible, reliable and fast active power compensation devices make the ideal opportunity for SMES applications. However, in order to make this technology attractive to the deregulated utility market, it is necessary for industry to provide cost-effective systems. The information presented herein is taken from results to date of a DARPA Technology Reinvestment Program SMES Commercialization Demonstration. This program is currently in the design and risk reduction phase. Completion is expected in 2001. This system will provide +/-l O O M W peak and +/-50MW oscillatory power with lOOMJ of stored energy. The base line for the coil design assumes a cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC), with rated voltage of 24 kV, and operating at nominal temperature of 4.5 K This paper reviews the possible utility industry applications and discusses a number of technical issues and trade-offs resulting from the design optimization process for SMES utility applications.The conductor design options, system configuration, currentfvoltage levels and insulation issues for a low temperature superconducting coil are discussed. The power electronics interfaces (system configuration, circuit topology and devices and switching technologies) are also discussed. Finally, consideration is given to the impact of the new business environment, potential markets and overall cost.

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“…A refrigerator in the cryogenic system maintains the required temperature for proper superconducting operation [61]. Among the different variants of flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices and ESSs currently available, static synchronous compensators (STATCOM) integrated with SMES has been proposed as the most adequate for participating of the primary frequency control because of SMES has high efficiency (95% to 98% [61]) and rapid response to power demand [62][63][64]. Depending on the control loop of its power conversion unit and switching characteristics, the SMES system can respond very rapidly (MWs/milliseconds).…”

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“…Furthermore, the paper gave the cost estimation of SMES systems and discussed markets of SMES. Later, Karasik et al [4] gave a review of technical and cost consideration for SMES applications to power utility. Buckles et al [5] gave an overview of the historical perspective and technology status of SMES in the world, and described practical applications of SMES systems to power systems.…”