Abstract
A superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system for utility applications is planned for installation at Anchorage Municipal Light & Power in 2000. The system’s stored energy of 1800 MJ (0.5 MWh) will be delivered at power levels up to 31.5 MVA for spinning reserve, voltage support and electrical network stabilization.
A low aspect ratio solenoidal superconducting magnet will store and deliver energy. The magnet’s maximum operating current is 10.8 kA and the peak field in the winding is 6.1 T. The maximum discharge voltage is 3.375 kV. The magnet will be cooled by pool boiling helium at 4.45 K. A review of our conductor configuration trade analysis and a description of the cryostable, copper stabilized, NbTi conductor is presented. Conductor characteristics including stability are discussed. The pancake winding pack is described. Magnet quench characteristics and protection are presented. Current lead selection criteria are presented and the leads are described. Cryostat design is described and overall magnet system thermal and structural characteristics are presented. Seismic conditions in the Anchorage area are identified and associated structural issues discussed.
Thermal loads are discussed and a description of the refrigeration system is provided. Implications due to the unavailability of LN2 are discussed as well as the required recovery of the cryogenic system from discharge events.
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References
Spinning reserve refers to the utility practice of maintaining generators in an operational state so that they are prepared to deliver power to make up for the unanticipated loss of other generators. Spinning reserve resources are costly because of fuel, maintenance and other costs.
Combined cycle plants consist of a series combination of combustion and steam turbines. The thermal energy in the exhaust gases of the combustion turbine drives the heat recovery steam turbine.
Recent advances in high power electronic devices make possible power electronics systems that can provide similar services. The combination of power electronics and the T&D network is sometimes called the Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS). The IEEE includes SMES as one potential system in the FACTS ensemble. SMES is the most sophisticated of these systems in that it is the only system with significant stored energy and active power capability.
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Kral, S.F. et al. (1998). Alaska SMES: Form and Function for the World’s Largest Magnet. In: Kittel, P. (eds) Advances in Cryogenic Engineering. Advances in Cryogenic Engineering, vol 43. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9047-4_133
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9047-4_133
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