Manufacture and Insulating Test of a Mini-Model for 154 kV-Class HTS Cables

High-temperature superconductor (HTS) power cables enable larger transmission of electrical power than that of the conventional counterparts. As electrical power consumption is increased, HTS power cables are expected to play an important role in a next generation electrical power transmission grid because of their smaller transmission loss and, in consequence, better efficiency of operational cost. Currently, a world-wide research has been undertaken, particularly focused on the development and practical applications of HTS cables. With the importance of an insulation design of a 154 kV-class HTS power cable taken into consideration, this paper presents research on AC breakdown characteristics of various thickness insulators. Based on the present research results, the layer thickness of an insulator that will be used for a 154 kV-class HTS cable was optimized. Also, an effect of bending in an HTS cable on the ac breakdown characteristics was also investigated with various testing conditions, such as different radii of bending curvature.