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Czech-Israeli Workshop
A Novel Fault Current Limiter
May 1, 2011
Dima Lansberg
[email protected]
www.GridON.com
www.GridON.com
Introduction
 Novel Fault Current Limiter (FCL) platform – patentable, 3rd generation
technology; exclusively licensed from Bar-Ilan University and Ricor Ltd
 Technology innovation – the FCL technology has been developed over
the past eight years by a team of scientists with extensive experience in
electricity, mathematics, physics, magnetic and superconductivity
 Strategic partnership – GridON is working with Wilson Transformer
Company, a shareholder and manufacturing partner
 Strong market recognition –
 Selected to provide FCL solution for a major European utility
 Received GE ecomagination innovation award (out of 4,000 contenders)
 Received the ACES 2011 European award
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The problem
 Increasing power generation from conventional and
alternative energy sources
 Increasing power supply on interconnected network
 Short-circuit current rise with the increase of power supply; causing
power supply disruptions, equipment damage and major outages
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The solution
Fault Current Limiters (FCL) to control prospective fault current at full range
of voltage/current ratings on distribution and transmission grids
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Typical implementation
 Transmission and distribution grids
 Generation stations and
alternative energy feeders
 Industrial plants with high
power consumption
 Common implementations are
Bus-tie and Feeder connections
SCENET (2001)
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Novel single core concept
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Inductive system providing variable impedance
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DC-bias keeps the core fully saturated, providing
very low impedance during normal operation
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Fault current yielding high AC magnetic flux counter to
the DC-bias flux; pushing the core out of saturation
(1-2ms) and increasing the FCL impedance
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Impedance increases (non-linearly) up to 5-6 times
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Tunable DC-biasing allows for current regulation during normal operation

Superconducting (HTS) free device, using standard transformer technology
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Compact, single-core, single-phase and 3-phase systems
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Unique performance

Variable impedance for Current Limiting and Current Tuning
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Performance
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Can scale up to very high voltage (transformer ratings)
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Instantaneous passive reaction (1-2ms)
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Unlimited holding time of limited-current
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Zero-time recovery (1-2ms)
Robustness

Fail-safe device, not using any switching or electronics
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Simple, low technology-risk design (standard transformer technology and life expectancy)
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Optional DC-bias saturation methods
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No auxiliary equipment other than standard DC power-supply
Advanced FCL monitoring (Dynamic Ratings’ DRMCC)
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Remote monitoring of voltage, phase currents, temperature and alarms
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Recording of short circuit events including voltage/current traces
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ROI

Extending equipment life and reducing capital expenditure
 Few FCLs can save millions to tens of millions of dollars required for a typical
substation upgrade (switchgear, breakers, reactors, transformers, etc.)
 Enabling cost-effective design of new substations
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Enabling network connectivity and power expansion
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Increasing power generation from conventional and renewable energy sources
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Much better solution than lossy series reactors which operate constantly with
high inductance
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Beyond limiting, the FCL provides current-tuning during normal operation
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Improving grid reliability and power quality
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Thank You
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