1. Superconductivity in Electric
Power Sector
Submitted by- Submitted to-
Ashish Soreng Dr. Abhimanyu Mohapatra
7th Sem, 0901106140
Dr. Ranjan Kumar Jena
Electrical Engg.

2. CONTENTS
Introduction
Types Of SC
LTS vs HTS
Properties Of SC
Energy Applications
Conclusion

3. Introduction
 Superconductors are broadly viewed as materials which have
negligible resistance to the flow of electricity under low
temperature conditions .
 The phenomenon of superconductivity was first observed in
mercury by the Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes in
1911
 Discovery of High Temperature superconductors in 1986
reignited interest in superconducting Power application
because of lower cooling costs.

4. What is Superconductivity?
Superconductivity is a phenomenon observed in several
metals and ceramic materials. When these materials are
cooled to temperatures ranging from near absolute zero
( 0 K, -2730 C) to liquid nitrogen temperatures ( 77 K,
-1960 C), their electrical resistance drops with a jump down
to zero.
The temperature at which
electrical resistance is zero is
called the critical temperature (Tc)

5. Types of Superconductors Used
 Low Temperature
Superconductors (LTS)
Ex- Nb3Sn, Nb3Ge
 High Temperature
Superconductors (HTS)
Ex- YBCO

6. Shortcomings of LTS
Critical Temperatures are Very low
Cost of cooling is very high using Liquid Helium
For LTS TC < 20K
Advent of HTS
 Comparatively higher critical Temperatures
 HTS show superconductivity at or above −196 °C
(77 K) i.e. Temperature of Liquid Nitrogen
Liquid Nitrogen is 15 times cheaper than liquid
. Helium

7. Properties required for practical superconductors

8. Applications
Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage
Power Transmission Cable
Transformers
Fault Current Limiter
Rotating Machines

9. Superconducting Magnetic Energy
Storage (SMES)
SMES is a device for storing and instantaneously discharging
large quantities of power.
It stores electric energy in the magnetic field generated by DC
current flowing through a coiled wire.
The SMES recharges within minutes
and can repeat the charge/discharge
sequence thousands of times without
any degradation of the magnet.

10. Components Of SMES System
Superconductor Coils
Power Conditioning System
Cryogenically Cooled Refrigerator
Vacuum Vessel

11. How Does It Work?
Stores Electric Energy in Magnetic Field
•Superconductors have zero resistance to DC electrical
current at low temperatures
Very low Ohmic heat dissipation
Energy stored within the coil is given by

12. E= 5kJ E= 200kJ

14. Operation Of SMES System
Transmission Voltage is reduced to several hundred Volts
AC is converted into DC
DC Voltage charges the Superconducting Coil
The coil discharges and acts as a source of energy
when AC Network requires power boost

15. Advantages Of SMES
• Time Delay during charge and discharge is quite short
• Very High Power is available almost instantaneously
• Loss of power is less than other storage method
• High Reliability.
• Environmental friendly and highly efficient

16. Power Transmission Cables
Since 10% to 15% of generated electricity is dissipated in
resistive losses in transmission lines, the prospect of zero loss
superconducting transmission lines is appealing
 In prototype superconducting transmission lines at
Brookhaven National Laboratory, 1000 MW of power can be
transported within an enclosure of diameter 40 cm.

18. Transformers
HTS Transformer have low losses
Size and Weight are reduced by half.
HTS Transformer are cooled by Cryo Coolers rather than
dielectric flammable oil
=>No Threat Of Fire hazards

19. Fault Current Limiters
HTS Current Limiters Protects against disturbances such
as Power Surges due to Lightning or Accidents.
HTS coils absorb excess energy due to large pulse of
current within Milliseconds
HTS Current Limiters can effectively Limit the Current
spikes Circuit Breaker must handle.

20. Rotating Machines
Efficiency improvements near 1%
Decreased size and weight for equivalent ratings
Improved steady state and transient system performance
Reduced life-cycle costs

21. Conclusion
Further R&D is in progress to synthesize new
materials which might attain superconductivity at
even room temperatures
Such an invention can truly revolutionize the
modern world of electronics, power &
transportation

22. References
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superconducting_magnetic_energy_storage
 http://www.ornl.gov/
 http://www.superconductorweek.com/

23. Thank you