Multiphysics finite element modelling of the AC power loss, fault response and recovery of first generation superconducting cables

Abstract

The fault response of superconducting cables is of significant importance to their wider adoption in power grids. In particular, it is useful to understand how to most efficiently and accurately simulate the fault response and time of recovery after a high through fault overcurrent. To achieve that, rigorous modeling techniques must be established, which is done over several steps. A successful numerical model of magnetic field dependent behaviour of a Bi-2223 superconducting tape has been demonstrated. This model has been used to redefine and verify a homogenization technique for multifilamentary tapes that decreases the computation time by simplifying the geometry with a minimum to no accuracy penalty. Afterwards, the simulation of AC power losses in twisted tapes and cables is investigated, with reference models coming from literature and custom-built 3D models. The investigation produced methods to efficiently estimate the losses of multi-layer twisted in 2D FEM without resorting to 3D. Finally by capitalizing on the techniques established prior, a multiphysics model is built — electro-magneto-thermal — in three different space domains in order to simulate the AC losses, temperature and heat transfer in all important cable components. It is shown this type of complex multiphysics model can be set up to run and may produce fairly accurate results. One FEM simulation of the multiphysics model takes no more than 3 days to complete on a standard PC.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Alexander N. Petrov: orcid.org/0000-0003-4820-5227

ORCID for Thomas Andritsch: orcid.org/0000-0002-3462-022X

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