Design and preliminary results of a prototype HTS SMES device

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has developed the design for a 20 kJ high transition temperature Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) device, and constructed a nominally 2.5 kJ prototype. The coil for the prototype was wound using High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) BSCCO-2223 tape. It was refrigerated to 20 K using a gaseous helium cold head cryocooler. The SMES device has been constructed as a prototype for a larger commercially realizable system, and hence is capable of supplying a 3-phase load during voltage sags or short (<1 s) power interruptions. This paper discusses the modeling and design of the electromagnetic and thermal aspects of the coil, the Power Control Circuit (PCC), current leads and cryogenic system. Also presented are preliminary results of the SMES coil, cryogenics, and system energy storage and delivery capabilities.