Parametric effects on the transient Voltage performance of a DC superconducting cable

The objective of this work was to determine the significant parameters of a 3-GW 200-kV dc superconducting cable system which influence the transient voltage distribution in the various parts of the cable. The cable system consists of four coaxial metallic cylinders. It was found that the dielectric constant and the electrical resistivity of the soil significantly affect the severity of the transient voltages; lower dielectric constant and higher resistivity of the soil will increase the magnitudes of the transient voltages by increasing the earth-return impedance. It was also found that the effect of the conductor internal impedances of the cable is insignificant. Shorting the coaxial cylinders of the cryogen flow and the cryostat will lessen the severity of the transient voltages. Grounding the second, third, and fourth cylinders at regular intervals with low-impedance grounding impedance will also improve the transient performance of the cable. More research is needed to evaluate these procedures.     

Analysis on the transient voltage performance of a DC superconducting cable

Transient voltage distribution in a DC superconducting cable, comprising of four concentric metallic cylinders was analyzed. Of the four concentric cylinders, two carry the load current, and the other two comprise the cryogenic enclosure. Analysis was performed with transient current injected either to the innermost or the outermost cylinder. The outermost cylinder was either bare or insulated. The outer three cylinders were either solidly grounded or isolated from ground at the point of current injection. It was concluded that transient voltages will appear across the RETURN cryogen flow and also across the vacuum space in the cryogenic enclosure. As these two systems are designed for their thermal performance, they may suffer permanent damage caused by unwanted electrical transients.     

Feasibility of electric power transmission by DC superconducting cables

The electrical characteristics of dc superconducting cables of two power ratings were studied: 3 GW and 500 MW. Two designs were considered for each of the two power ratings. In the first design, the SUPPLY stream of the cryogen is surrounded by the high-voltage high-temperature superconductor cylinder. The RETURN stream of the cryogen is on the grounded side of the system. In the second design, both the SUPPLY and the RETURN streams of the cryogen are on the grounded side of the cable. Two electrical characteristics of these cables were studied: 1) fault currents and 2) current harmonics. It was concluded that neither the fault currents nor the current harmonics pose any problems in the operation of the dc superconducting cables.