Superconductors for power applications: an executable and web application to learn about resistive fault current limiters

This model was shared by Nicolo Riva, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

The model solves a 1-D electro-thermal model of am HTS tape in a resistive fault current limiter, working under AC fault conditions. It evaluates important figures of merit such as the limited current, the prospective current and the maximum temperature reached within the tape. The geometrical parameters and  the superconducting properties of the device can be modified. The importance of the amount of silver stabilizer necessary to protect the device from over-heating occurring during a fault current can be investigated. In addition, the effects of having a sharp nonlinear transition from the superconductingto the normal state (intrinsic property of the superconductor) to obtain a current limitation can be explored.

The model is primarily intended for users who want to learn about the benefits of superconductors in real-life applications. The model is distributed as a COMSOL Multiphysics file, as an executable running on common operating system (Windows, MacOs, Linux), and as a web application. 

Downloads

References

1. “Superconductors for power applications: an executable and web application to learn about resistive fault current limiters”, European Journal of Physics, 2021.