Superconducting Fault Current Limiters for DC system

Abstract

The current thesis evaluates why superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) are useful in enhancing protection in HVDC transmission systems. With renewable integration and network interconnection, the levels of short-circuit current are growing and posing challenges to traditional protection equipment. Additional protection challenges that are experienced with HVDC systems include the fact that fault currents increase extremely fast and there is no natural zero crossing of current. The paper describes superconducting materials, important types of SFCL and how HVDC works and its structure. Then it examines ways in which SFCLs can be incorporated into HVDC networks to alleviate fault current stress and enhance protection. In general, it can be stated that SFCLs are a promising option in the future HVDC power systems.