Implementation of superconducting fault current limiter for flexible operation in the power substation

• The power load concentrated in load centers results in high levels of fault current.
• This paper introduces a fault current reduction scheme using SFCLs in substations.
• The SFCL is connected in parallel to the bus tie between the two busbars.
• The fault current mitigation using SFCLs is verified through PSS/e simulations.

The concentration of large-scale power loads located in the metropolitan areas have resulted in high fault current levels during a fault thereby requiring the substation to operate in the double busbar configuration mode. However, the double busbar configuration mode results in deterioration of power system reliability and unbalanced power flow in the adjacent transmission lines which may result in issues such as overloading of lines. This paper proposes the implementation of the superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) to be installed between the two substation busbars for a more efficient and flexible operation of the substation enabling both single and double busbar configurations depending on the system conditions for guaranteeing power system reliability as well as fault current limitations. Case studies are being performed for the effectiveness of the SFCL installation and results are compared for the cases where the substation is operating in single and double busbar mode and with and without the installation of the SFCL for fault current mitigation.