SMES conductor design

The authors report the current status of the 200-kA SMES (superconducting magnetic energy storage) conductor design and the future test and development plans. The basis is given for selecting the design criteria for each requirement used in the conductor tradeoff study. A CICC (cable-in-conduit conductor) concept has been selected for the SMES system because it represents the most appropriate route for current scale-up to 200 kA (or more) as required by SMES. A CICC has a high stability margin, utilizes proven manufacturing processes, eliminates the need for a high-risk helium vessel and complex helium dump system, and is cost-effective. The results of thermal and stress analyses are given for stability and thermal and magnetic loadings. Finally, a preliminary manufacturing plan is described.< >