Industrial Technologies
Fast Superconducting Switch for Superconducting Power Devices
Brookhaven National Laboratory
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Publications:
Fast high-temperature superconductor switch for high current applications. (1,424 KB)
Conceptual drawing of the fast superconducting switch.
Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) offers an attractive alternative to chemical and electromechanical energy storage. This grid-enabling switch can maintain a large ratio of the stored energy to the static energy loss in the SMES and has the ability to by-pass the current through a fast, high-voltage superconducting switch. Strategic bursts of power can play a crucial role in maintaining grid reliability, especially with today's congested power lines and the high penetration of renewable energy sources.
DescriptionThis invention relates to the design and application of a novel high-voltage superconducting switch provided with direct heating of the active superconducting layer through a metal substrate either by direct transport or by inductive current, and the protection of the superconducting layer by cryogenically-cooled metal "oxide" semiconductor field-effect transistors.
BenefitsThe high-voltage superconducting switch can tolerate large power fluctuations and be switched quickly between superconducting and normal (resistive) states.
Applications and IndustriesSMES devices can be used for storing large amounts of energy with very little loss over long periods of time. They can be used to help integrate renewable resources into the grid or to condition the power provided by the grid, and this switch enables their deployment.
More InformationApplication Number WO 2014/058871 was published on April 17, 2014
Technology Status| Technology ID | Development Stage | Availability | Published | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSA 12-29 | Prototype | Available | 03/30/2015 | 03/30/2015 |
