Techno-Economic Evaluation of a Novel Flux-Coupling Type Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

Superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) offer a solution to control and suppress fault current levels on utility distribution and transmission networks, and are believed to be one of the most exciting applications of superconductors in power systems. Consequently, the various types of SFCLs have been developed in many countries. But, there is a very long way for SFCLs from prototypes or paper concepts to the practical applications and commercialization because of many unsolved problems. In this paper, a novel flux-coupling type SFCL is presented. This SFCL is composed of two superconducting windings and a controllable switch. In order to validate its fault current limiting performance, a simulation for the operation of this kind of SFCL in a modeling power system has been done. The simulation results show that it is feasible technically. Based on that, the economic feasibility by introducing a flux-coupling SFCL into the high voltage grid is estimated. Finally, the optimal locations for SFCLs are proposed.