Superconducting Fault Current Limiters - a new device for future smart grids

Nexans SuperConductors (NSC) has designed, built, tested, and installed a number of SFCL (Superconducting Fault Current Limiter) systems. The devices are in different areas and cases of operation with various requirements and specifications from DSOs or power generation industry. Prospective short-circuit currents in the order of 50 kA have been limited to below 10 kA according to the design of the limiter. The limiters have shown reliable operation during field tests with durations of about one year each. The operation results and experiences will be presented. In a recent EU-project developing a multi-purpose SFCL providing flexibility for a range of power grid applications is targeted. Nexans acts as a coordinator and device manufacturer in the ECCOFLOW consortium which involves five European power utilities and eight scientific and industrial partners. In another recent project, a superconductor power transmission system by Nexans is to be integrated 2013 in the inner city of Essen, Germany. It comprises a 1-km long 10 kV three-phase concentric HTS cable overload-protected by a SFCL. The SFCL device will also be manufactured by Nexans SuperConductors. The status of both projects will also be reported on.