Technical and economical impacts on a power system by introducing an HTS FCL

Abstract

Fault current limiters (FCLs) can be considered as key elements in power systems using high temperature superconductors. This analysis takes into account the system benefits provided by the introduction of FCLs in various network configurations. New meshing possibilities, alternative grounding method and increase of power transmission are highlighted. It is the desire of most power system utilities to maximize transferred power and to reduce system losses to a minimum in their systems. These goals could be achieved if the system impedance could be reduced. However, such measures would increase short-circuit currents enormously and endanger equipment and safety. This problem could be circumvented by the installation of an IFCL. FCLs are often implemented in combination with transformers but the transformer itself could also be designed having an integrated current limiting functionality.