Development of Cost-reduction SMES for Power System Stabilization

The authors have developed a solenoid model coil to stabilize the power system in superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system with the aim of drastically reducing system cost. The single solenoid model coil is designed with the rated current, maximum magnetic field and coil charge rates equivalent to those of a practical 100 MW/15 kWh-class SMES using multi-pole solenoid coils. In addition, the coil is characterized by the use of a stabilized Al-NbTi CIC conductor that has a graded structure, layered winding and a high magnetic field with a compact design. To verify coil performance, several tests such as a the measurement of rated current and AC loss, high-speed pulse operation, coil quenching, and insulation characteristics were conducted using a model coil at Kyushu Electric's Imajuku testing center. Test results proved that the SMES model coil performs as well as the initially designed coil, while doing so at a drastically reduced cost.