Investigation of Real Field Application Issues for Resistive Type Superconducting Fault Current Limiters for Distribution Electric Power Networks

Abstract

Conventional electric power networks were designed and operated not considering fault current limiting devices. Therefore, the performance and characteristics of resistive superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) should be reviewed considering the coordination with other electric circuit protecting devices. In this paper, real field application issues of resistive SFCL were investigated considering utilities' demands and coordination with other protection devices. Pure resistive SFCL and hybrid resistive SFCL were compared in order to determine suitable solutions for electric power systems. SFCLs were modeled and analyzed using electro-magnetic transients program (EMTP) and their performances were compared to identify the adaptability to the conventional power networks. Consequently, Simulation results showed that hybrid resistive SFCL have more advantages than pure resistive SFCL considering the requirements and specification for the distribution networks. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.