1. 33kV Superconducting Fault Current Limiter
Dr. Chris Goodhand
Northern Powergrid
Adrian Wilson
Applied Superconductor
Purpose
Review 2008
Understand requirements for 2009
Enable you to finalise your plans
2009 deliverables
longer term improvements
Identify things that will help or hinder our efforts

2. The Project
Deployment of a 33kV superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL)
Builds on a previous project funded through IFI
Some results from this later
Device based on a relatively new class of materials
Collaboration between three DNOs
Device developer - Applied Superconductor Ltd, an SME
Relatively large and long term project

3. Project Motivation
The short and medium term future includes an increase in the connection of low carbon technologies to our networks
This will include increased distributed generation connection at 33kV
This can already be seen as an approaching trend – Wind, anaerobic digestion, biomass
There are barriers to this connection.

4. Project Motivation
Increased fault level burden associated with these connections
Networks are run close to capacity, much switchgear and protection is close to maximum fault level budget
Additional prospective fault level contribution from distributed generation limits our ability to connect
Additional investment is therefore required to facilitate – relatively slow and expensive process

5. Potential Solution Fault current limiting devices
Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (SFCL)
Advantages
Large fault current clamping
Disadvantages
New devices, lots of potential but little track record
Systems readiness issues

6. The Project
Install and operate a 33kV Superconducting Fault Current Limiter
Deliver some key learning outcomes:
Where can these be applied?
How can they be operated?
How can they be integrated into our current systems?
What technical advantage do they confer?
Can we make a business case for their use?
Can we make a carbon case for their use?
What else can we discover through experiential learning with these devices?

7. System Readiness Issues
Type Testing Specification
Non-standard network component –
Significant input from transformer and switchgear experts at National Grid to identify which parts of their standards apply to the Fault Current Limiter
List of standards/tests for Type Testing now agreed
Long process to get all technical stakeholders on board

8. System Readiness Issues Design and planning
Detailed design complete
Nomenclature agreed
Site Responsibility Schedule updated
Substation Control System
Protection scheme agreed
SGT2
SGT1
S10
S14
S18
L13
L23
2K3
2K0 R2
SFCL
H23
H13
33kV
(T365)
(T364)
Brinsworth
(B371)
1T2
1R7
1R3

9. Other Systems Readiness Issues
Currently a health and safety problem, unrelated to the project, prevents access to the identified site
Project too advanced to move to alternative location
Eight month delay to installation and commissioning
Supply Chain Problem
Key supplier and intellectual property owner in administration
ASL acquired IP and identified alternative component source
Not critical path

10. Applied Superconductor Ltd.
Founded 2004 in Blyth, North East England to commercialise Fault Current Limiters
October 2009
First unit to be installed in UK
Summer 2012
Three units now installed
July 2012
Purchase parts of Zenergy Power

11. Applied Superconductor Globally
Applied Superconductor Ltd
Blyth
Applied Superconductor Inc
San Francisco
Applied Superconductor Pty
Woolongong

12. Inductive Limiters – Principles of Operation (HTS Magnets)
Fault Current Limiters
Inductive Limiters – Principles of Operation (HTS Magnets)

13. Inductive Limiters – Principles of Operation (HTS Magnets)
Fault Current Limiters
Inductive Limiters – Principles of Operation (HTS Magnets)

14. Fault Current Limiters
Inductive Limiters – Principles of Operation
The equivalent FCL inductance is a non-linear function of the instantaneous line current
CLR
Constant
Inductance
Instantaneous AC Current [kA]
FCL Inductance
is small at load current
Increases dramatically
during a fault 14

15. Inductive Limiters – Comparison to Reactors
Fault Current Limiters
Inductive Limiters – Comparison to Reactors
50 %
Reactor
VOLTAGE
DROP
FCL
6.2% 2%
1.8%
0.5%
0.42 kA
1.3 kA
Current/Power
10 kA
100 MVA
320 MVA
Confidential and Proprietary Information

16. Scunthorpe, Station Rd. – 11kV Installation
5 Lorry loads
Precision lifts
Clean Room Activities

17. Performance Under Fault – 11kV
There was a three phase fault cable on a circuit out of Station Road, Scunthorpe on 7th August The SFCL had 3.3kA flowing through it on all 3 phases for 0.6s
Device worked as expected under fault condition
LV power lost, DC power maintained by batteries
All systems recovered following the fault clearance

18. Performance Under Fault – 11kV
VOLTS IN
VOLTS OUT
CURRENT
VOLTS ACROSS

19. Key Learning – Dealing With The Unexpected
Un-expected site access issue, despite attempted mitigation, has resulted in project delay.
Loss of key supplier and core intellectual property
Difficult to foresee
Exogenous Risks!
Need a plan for when the unforeseen occurs.

20. Key Learning – Still Much To Learn
Installation at Scunthorpe complex and resource consuming
33kV project will address this learning
Fault performance on 11kV device has been good
System behaved as expected – good clamping
Boosts confidence for the 33kV installaion
11kV Ancillary and support systems were impacted by fault
GPRS monitoring and warnings never received
33kV systems needs to be “hardened” against such problems

21. Project Outlook Initial analyses and system design are complete.
Systems readiness issues overcome (?)
SFCL build in progress
Device installation and commissioning due summer 2013 after access issues resolved in Spring 2013
Dissemination of learning expected, late