PARIS & HANAU, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2009--
AREVA’s Transmission and Distribution (T&D) division and Bruker Energy &
Supercon Technologies (BEST) have successfully designed, built and
tested a single module of a 13 MVA (2000 A, 6.4 kV) single-phase,
shielded-type inductive superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) at
the AREVA T&D Technology Centre in Stafford, UK. The design utilizes a
proprietary cryogenic module incorporating BEST’s 2nd
generation high-temperature superconductors.
Increasing demand for electricity and the restructuring of the power
transmission system resulting from deregulation and the increased level
of distributed and renewable energy generation can lead to fault current
levels above the capability of existing switchgear. A viable solution is
to install a current-limiting device that is self-triggering,
rapidly-activated within a few milliseconds and fail-safe.
As a result of the tests in Stafford, the following conclusions were
drawn:
-
The SFCL module limited a prospective 68.5 kApeak fault to
9 kApeak in five milliseconds (¼ cycle)
-
Fault current after five cycles (before circuit breaker opening) was
reduced by a factor of 10
-
The SFCL exhibits fast recovery after a short circuit fault (less than
200 milliseconds) and is expected to withstand a large number of
limitation sequences
Commenting on the successful collaboration with BEST on these tests,
Gerhard Seyrling, Innovation & Performance Improvement Senior Vice
President of AREVA T&D, said, “This product addresses issues with
high fault currents that our customers are very concerned with in their
networks. We intend to work with BEST to create an industrialized
product which will make our customers’ grids smarter and further enable
integration of distributed generation. This breakthrough technology is
set to play an increasingly important role in the future development of
smart grids.”
“Based on these excellent test results, the feasibility of operation
for our shielded, inductive SFCL has been demonstrated, paving the way
for future commercialization,” said Dr. Burkhard Prause, President
and CEO of BEST. “The SFCL certainly meets the expectations for
reliability and durability of the most demanding utilities, while at the
same time it is a true ‘smart grid’ device with its ability to rapidly
react and recover independent of outside control or triggering.”
ABOUT AREVA T&D
All over the world, AREVA provides its customers with solutions for
carbon-free power generation and electricity transmission. With its
knowledge and expertise in these fields, the group has a leading role to
play in meeting the world’s energy needs. Ranked first in the global
nuclear power industry, AREVA's unique integrated offering covers every
stage of the fuel cycle, reactor design and construction, and related
services. In addition, the group is developing a portfolio of operations
in renewable energies. AREVA is also a world leader in electricity
transmission and distribution and offers its customers a complete range
of solutions for greater grid stability and energy efficiency.
Sustainable development is a core component of the group’s industrial
strategy. Its 75,000 employees work every day to make AREVA a
responsible industrial player that is helping to supply ever cleaner,
safer and more economical energy to the greatest number of people.
AREVA's T&D division is an active player around the globe. It designs,
manufactures and supplies a complete range of equipment, systems and
services for all stages in the transfer of electricity, from the
generator to the large end-user. For more information on AREVA T&D,
please visit: www.areva-td.com.
About Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc.
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. (BEST) is a subsidiary of
Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR). BEST is a world-leading supplier of
superconductors as well as superconducting components and devices for
alternative energy, smart grid, ‘big science’, industrial and healthcare
applications. BEST solutions have the potential to enhance the
reliability and efficiency of electrical power grids and large energy
demanding applications. The product range encompasses the world’s
broadest portfolio of high performance superconductors, superconducting
magnets and devices for industrial and research applications, as well as
accelerator technologies, including turn-key systems. For more
information on BEST, please visit: www.bruker-est.com.
Source: Bruker Corporation
Press contacts:
AREVA T&D Press Office
Kirsty
Bouysset, + 33 1 34 96 31 91
kirsty.bouysset@areva-td.com
or
Beatrice
Garcia, + 33 1 34 96 62 90
beatrice.garcia@areva-td.com
or
Bruker
EST Press Contact
Tom Rosa, +1 978-901-7550
CFO
tom.rosa@bruker-est.com