Applications of superconductivity to electric power systems

The interest in superconducting systems stems from their promise to be more efficient, smaller, and lighter than those made from conventional conductors. The types of applications in which superconductivity has the potential to be effective in an electric power system can be separated into two general classes. The first type includes those technologies in which superconductivity is simply a replacement of existing resistive materials, for example, cables, motors, generators, and transformers. The second type includes technologies that will be enabled by superconductivity and that have little or, at most, limited capability if conventional resistive or other materials are used. Examples are superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) and large fault current limiters (FCL). Before looking at the applications under development the article discusses the discovery and development of superconductivity     

Application of superconductive magnetic energy storage in anasynchronous link between power systems

The concept that superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) can be incorporated into a back-to-back DC link is introduced. With an SMES-DC link, an SMES system can be shared between several neighboring power systems. This results in better economics for SMES usage for each participating power system. In addition to SMES operation, an SMES-DC link also allows asynchronous connection and interchange of power between the interconnected systems. It is demonstrated that an SMES-DC link can achieve significant economic benefits over pure power interchange or SMES operation alone. The basic principle of an SMES-DC link, which is able to interconnect any number of neighboring power systems with a single SMES unit, and various interconnected system operation modes are presented. A battery-DC link is discussed and compared with the SMES-DC link     

Energy conservation and environmental benefits that may be realizedfrom superconducting magnetic energy storage

The energy conservation and environmental benefits of superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) are described. Since SMES can uncouple generation from load, it can shift generation around, thereby changing the operational characteristics of the system. The technology has the capability of reducing fuel consumption, which can in turn reduce emissions. In a regional setting it can potentially shift emissions both in volumes and in physical areas to avoid problem situations. With its capability to strategically shift generation and significantly affect emissions and air quality it can `stretch' clean energy generation options. With these attributes, SMES can be recognized as an energy and environmental management technology and tool     

Impact of superconductive magnetic energy storage on electric powertransmission

The authors demonstrate that a superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) system can provide a significant positive impact on electric power transmission. By using SMES, transmission-line loadings during heavy load hours can be reduced if the SMES system is located near the major load. Transmission losses as well as the fuel cost for the losses over a 24 hr period can also be decreased. An SMES scheme, the SMES-DC link, is introduced for energy storage and control of power flow. The operation of this scheme and the benefits it provides are described     

Application of superconducting magnetic energy storage in electrical power and energy systems: a review

Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is known to be an excellent high‐efficient energy storage device. This article is focussed on various potential applications of the SMES technology in electrical power and energy systems. SMES device founds various applications, such as in microgrids, plug‐in hybrid electrical vehicles, renewable energy sources that include wind energy and photovoltaic systems, low‐voltage direct current power system, medium‐voltage direct current and alternating current power systems, fuel cell technologies and battery energy storage systems. An extensive bibliography is presented on these applications of SMES. Also, some conclusive remarks in terms of future perspective are presented. Also, the present ongoing developments and constructions are also discussed. This study provides a basic guideline to investigate further technological development and new applications of SMES, and thus benefits the readers, researchers, engineers and academicians who deal with the research works in the area of SMES. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design, performance, and cost characteristics of high temperaturesuperconducting magnetic energy storage

A conceptual design for superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) using oxide superconductors with higher critical temperature than metallic superconductors has been analyzed for design features, refrigeration requirements, and estimated costs of major components. The study covered the energy storage range from 2 to 200 MWh at power levels from 4 to 400 MW. A SMES that uses high temperature superconductors (HTS) and operates at high magnetic field (e.g. 10 T), can be more compact than a comparable, conventional low-temperature device at lower field. The refrigeration power required for a higher temperature unit (20 to 77 K) will be less by 60% to 90%. The improvement in energy efficiency is significant for small units, but less important for large ones. The material cost for HTS units is dominated by the cost of superconductor, so that the total cost of an HTS system will be comparable to a low temperature system only if the superconductor price in $/ampere-meter is made comparable by increasing current density or decreasing wire cost     

Dynamic response of power conditioning systems for superconductivemagnetic energy storage

The dynamic response of two power conditioning systems for superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) are presented. One power conditioning system is based on a hybrid current sourced inverter (CSI), the second is a combination of a DC chopper with a voltage sourced inverter (VSI). The response of both systems to a load change, a three phase fault, and start-up is presented     

Sampled data automatic generation control with superconductingmagnetic energy storage in power systems

A discrete state-space model of a two-area interconnected power system with reheat steam turbine, governor deadband nonlinearity and superconducting magnetic energy storage is developed in this paper. The effect of a small-capacity superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system is studied in relation to supplying sudden power requirements of real power load. The feasibility of using an IGBT power converter instead of a thyristor converter as a power conditioning system with the SMES is studied. Time domain simulation results are also presented which show the improvement of transient response with SMES     

Power conditioning systems for superconductive magnetic energystorage

Two power conditioning systems for superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) are presented. One power conditioning system is based on a hybrid current sourced inverter (CSI), the second is a combination of a DC chopper with a voltage sourced inverter (VSI). Both of these systems have independent control of real and reactive power. These systems have a significant reduction in MVA rating levels as related to the more traditional Graetz bridge     

Energy-storage technologies and electricity generation

As the contribution of electricity generated from renewable sources (wind, wave and solar) grows, the inherent intermittency of supply from such generating technologies must be addressed by a step-change in energy storage. Furthermore, the continuously developing demands of contemporary applications require the design of versatile energy-storage/power supply systems offering wide ranges of power density and energy density. As no single energy-storage technology has this capability, systems will comprise combinations of technologies such as electrochemical supercapacitors, flow batteries, lithium-ion batteries, superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) and kinetic energy storage. The evolution of the electrochemical supercapacitor is largely dependent on the development of optimised electrode materials (tailored to the chosen electrolyte) and electrolytes. Similarly, the development of lithium-ion battery technology requires fundamental research in materials science aimed at delivering new electrodes and electrolytes. Lithium-ion technology has significant potential, and a step-change is required in order to promote the technology from the portable electronics market into high-duty applications. Flow-battery development is largely concerned with safety and operability. However, opportunities exist to improve electrode technology yielding larger power densities. The main barriers to overcome with regard to the development of SMES technology are those related to high-temperature superconductors in terms of their granular, anisotropic nature. Materials development is essential for the successful evolution of flywheel technology. Given the appropriate research effort, the key scientific advances required in order to successfully develop energy-storage technologies generally represent realistic goals that may be achieved by 2050.     

A 150 kJ/100 kW directly cooled high temperature superconducting electromagnetic energy storage system

高温超导磁储能系统（SMES）是一种功率型的储能装置,本文介绍了国内自主研发的150 kJ/100 kW直接冷却高温超导磁储能系统的总体结构和基本试验结果。高温超导磁体由Bi2223/Ag和YBCO两种超导带材绕制而成,通过直接冷却方式将储能磁体成功冷却到了17 K左右。经测试,储能磁体的直流临界电流达到180 A,临界储能量157 kJ,磁体中心场强4.7 T;该SMES能快速独立地在四象限进行有功功率和无功功率交换,响应速度小于10 ms;在电力系统动态模拟实验中,SMES有效抑制了电力系统中因发电机机端短路故障引起的功率振荡。     

A Feasible Utility Scale Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage Plant

This paper presents the latest design features and estimated costs of a 5000 MWh/1000 MW Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) plant. SMES is proposed as a commercially viable technology for electric utility load leveling. The primary advantage of SMES over other electrical energy storage technologies is its high net roundtrip efficiency. Other features include rapid availability and low maintenance and operating costs. Economic comparisons are made with other energy storage options and with combustion turbines.     

Coil Protection for a Utility Scale Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage Plant

Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) is proposed for electric utility load leveling. Attractive costs, high diurnal energy efficiency (> 92%), and rapid response are advantages relative to other energy storage technologies. Recent industry-led efforts have produced a conceptual design for a 5000 MWh/1000 MW energy storage plant which is technically feasible at commercially attractive estimated costs. The SMES plant design includes a protection system which prevents damage to the magnetic coil if events require a rapid discharge of stored energy. This paper describes the design and operation of the coil protection system, which is primarily passive and uses the thermal capacity of the coil itself to absorb the stored electromagnetic energy.     

LIQHYSMES – Liquid H2 and SMES for renewable energy applications

A new multi-functionality hybrid energy storage concept, LIQHYSMES, has been recently proposed. It combines the use of LIQuid HYdrogen (LH₂) as the bulk energy carrier with much faster and efficient superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES). The LIQHYSMES Storage Unit LSU integrates liquefaction and storage of H₂ as well as the LH₂-cooled SMES: A process for the intermediate storage of H₂ in liquefied form is proposed, and alternative SMES designs are compared. The basic operational principle is simulated for a simple model case with two large LIQHYSMES storage plants supporting the transfer of renewable energy from one region of strong supply to a second one with a widely negative imbalance between supply and load. Losses of all plant components are analysed in terms of their relevance for the overall efficiency, and some cost issues are briefly addressed. A small first experimental demonstration is now underway and also briefly introduced.     

光伏发电系统的超导储能设计

超导储能(SMES)具有非常快速的功率调节能力和灵活的四象限运行能力,可完成调节电力系统功率因数、补偿电压跌落等功能。文章针对光伏发电系统的特殊运行方式,提出了利用光伏出力与本地负荷需求的差值作为SMES控制器的功率控制信号策略。在PSCAD/EMTDC仿真平台建立了超导储能系统模型,并对其在光伏发电系统的中的运行控制方式进行研究。研究结果表明,超导储能与光伏系统配合可以很好地解决光伏发电功率易受环境影响、不可调节、难于满足负荷需求的问题,对由负荷变化引起的母线电压波动和故障引起的母线电压跌落具有良好的补偿作用。     

Enhancing the utilization of photovoltaic power generation bysuperconductive magnetic energy storage

The authors demonstrate that a superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) system can enhance large-scale utilization of photovoltaic (PV) generation. Results show that power output from a SMES system can be used to smooth out PV power fluctuations so that the combined PV/SMES output is dispatchable and free from fluctuations. Power generated from PV arrays is shown to be fully utilized under different weather conditions, and PV penetration is increased to significant levels without adversely affecting the power system. Coupled with PV generation, a SMES system is even more effective in performing diurnal load leveling. A coordinated PV/SMES operation scheme is proposed, and its demonstration under different weather conditions is discussed     

Empowering the electric grid: Can SMES coupled to wind turbines improve grid stability?

The transition to a low carbon energy portfolio necessitates a reduction in the demand of fossil-fuel and an increase in renewable energy generation and penetration. Wind energy in particular is ubiquitous, yet the stochastic nature of wind energy hinders its wide-spread adoption into the electric grid. Numerous techniques (improved wind forecasting, improved wind turbine design and improved power electronics) have been proposed to increase the penetration of wind energy, yet only a few have addressed the challenges of wind intermittency, grid stability and flexibility simultaneously. The problem of excess wind energy results in wind curtailment and has plagued large scale wind integration. NREL's HOMER software is used to show that a strong negative correlation exists between the cycles to failure of a storage device and the excess wind energy on the system. A 1 MJ magnesium-diboride superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system is designed to alleviate momentary interruptions (lasting from a few milli-seconds to a few minutes) in wind turbines. The simulation results establish the efficacy of SMES coupled with wind turbines improve output power quality and show that a 1 MJ SMES alleviated momentary interruptions for ∼50 s in 3 MW wind turbines. These studies suggest that SMES when coupled to wind turbines could be ideal storage devices that improve wind power quality and electric grid stability.     

Application of superconducting magnetic energy storage unit toimprove the damping of synchronous generator

A systematic approach to the design of a controller for superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) units to improve the dynamic stability of a power system is presented. The scheme employs a proportional-integral (PI) controller to enhance the damping of the electromechanical mode oscillation of synchronous generators. The parameters of the PI controller are determined by the pole assignment method based on modal control theory. Eigenvalue analysis and nonlinear computer simulations show that SMES with the PI controller can greatly improve the damping of the system under various operating conditions. Although the PI controller is designed for a special load condition, it can also provide good damping under other load conditions     

Power quality improvement of a stand-alone power system subjected to various disturbances

In wind-diesel stand-alone power systems, the disturbances like random nature of wind power, turbulent wind, sudden changes in load demand and the wind park disconnection effect continuously the system voltage and frequency. The satisfactory operation of such a system is not an easy task and the control design has to take in to account all these subtleties. For maintaining the power quality, generally, a short-term energy storage device is used. In this paper, the performance of a wind-diesel system associated with a superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system is studied. The effect of installing SMES at wind park bus/load bus, on the system performance is investigated. To control the exchange of real and reactive powers between the SMES unit and the wind-diesel system, a control strategy based on fuzzy logic is proposed. The dynamic models of the hybrid power system for most common scenarios are developed and the results presented.     

Dynamics and stability of wind and diesel turbine generators withsuperconducting magnetic energy storage unit on an isolated power system

Dynamic system analysis is carried out on an isolated electric power system consisting of a diesel generator and a wind-turbine generator. The 150 kW wind turbine is operated in parallel with a diesel generator to serve an average load of 350 kW. A comprehensive digital computer model of the interconnected power system including the diesel and wind-power dynamics with a superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) unit is developed. Time-domain solutions are used to study the performance of the power system and control logic. Based on a linear model of the system, it is shown that changes in control-system settings could be made to improve damping and optimization of gain parameters and stability studies are done using the Lyapunov technique and eigenvalue analysis. The effect of introducing the SMES unit for improvement of stability and system dynamic response is studied