英国超导故障电流限制器生产商应用超导公司已委托伦敦上市的超导技术公司Zenergy Power公司开展工程研究项目，该研究有望为在英国建立更加适合可再生能源接入的安全电网铺平道路。
本课题是以建模研究超导故障电流限制器对英国配电网的影响。
超导故障电流限制器是保护配电和输电电气设备免受损坏性电力浪涌的装置。这些浪涌一般是由可再生能源接入引起的过大的故障电流或断电造成的。
英国电网基础设施已经陈旧，可再生能源在很多情况下又是远程生成的，这就增加了可再生能源发电并网发生故障的几率。故障电流限制器可稳定电网，并且是比升级变电站更低廉的方式接入可再生能源发电。
Applied Superconductor has commissioned an engineering study from London-listed superconductor technology company Zenergy Power that could pave the way for the safer adoption of more renewable energy on the UK grid.
The study involves modelling the network impact of a saturated-core superconducting fault current limiter on the UK distribution grid.
Fault current limiters are devices that protect electrical equipment in the distribution and transmission infrastructure from damaging power surges caused by excessive fault currents or intermittency often associated with renewable power.
‘A fault current unit allows stabilisation of the grid, which is applicable to renewable power whereby the country is going from a centralised power system to a more distributed power system with the adoption of renewable energy,’ said Zenergy Power CFO Karen Chandler.
‘Infrastructure is aged and renewable power is in many cases being generated remotely, adding renewable power to the grid also increases the fault levels. A fault current limiter stabilises the grid and is a cheaper way of enabling renewable power connection than upgrading a substation. The devices enable the grid to cope with faults and allow it to keep operating where in normal circumstances there would be blackouts.’
The study may support the order Applied Superconductor has received from CE Electric, which is one of the UK’s seven distribution network operators for a 33kV fault current limiter, under the Low Carbon Network Funding tier 1.
The fund set up by Ofgem allows up to £500m support to projects sponsored by the distribution network operators to pilot new technology, operating and commercial arrangements to provide security of supply in a transition to a low carbon economy, according to Chandler.
Applied Superconductor CEO Herbert Piereder said, ‘We believe that strategically placed saturated fault current limiters will facilitate the connection of both renewable and non-renewable distributed generation.
‘They help the electricity network to withstand the consequential increase in fault level without the need for major network reinforcements. We are currently looking at larger scale applications which will lead to improved security and quality of electrical supply at affordable price levels.’
Zenergy, which has been listed on the AIM section of the London stock exchange since 2006, has been in an offer period since February. The company’s board made the decision to seek takeover offers when its board decided the business would be best developed as part of a larger group to access funding and commercial relationships, according to Chandler.
She said, ‘Advisors have been appointed, but no bids have been made and it is still very early days. Zenergy raised £20m in January 2010 and has since then had change of board.’