Introduction of KEPCO's distribution class SFCL fabricated for verification test

실증시험용 배전급 초전도 한류기의 특성 평가 및 운전 시험

Superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) is an power device of a novel concept. While SFCLs generate no ohmic loss during the operation carrying normal currents, they can limit fault currents very fast making large impedance by their quench characteristics. In 2006, KEPCO has developed a distribution class hybrid type SFCL by a collaborative research project with LS industrial systems. The SFCL has merits in practical and economical points of view. In the SFCL, the superconductor just plays a role of a fault detector and the current limiting is completed by the other current limiting element made of normal metals throu호 the line commutation. As a result, the required amounts of superconductors can be reduced considerably. Consequently, the hybrid SFCL can be fabricated with small size and cost, maintaining perfect current limiting performance. Currently, KEPCO is carrying out a research project at Gochang power test center for the purpose of the verification test of the 22.9 kV/ 630 A class SFCL for the practical application in real grid. Through the project, a long term operational test and fault current test will be done. In this paper, the back ground of development and installation of the SFCL will be explained and the operation plan of the SFCL for the verification test is also introduced.