Finite Element Model of a Superconducting Fault Current Limiter Calibrated by Hardware-in-the-Loop Measurements

A bench top model of an inductive superconducting fault current limiter (iSFCL) has been designed based on wide tape of second generation high temperature superconducting (2GHTS) coated conductor. The tape forms a ring shielding a reduced size ferromagnetic core. The design was optimized using a finite element model, which was calibrated and refined by impedance measurements and power hardware-in-the-loop testing of the bench top iSFCL. The finite-element model was coupled with a lumped element circuit model that simulates the electric power grid. Usefulness of such coupled models for design optimization studies and for reduction of uncertainty in transient simulation models is demonstrated.