Superconducting magnetic energy storage for electric utilities and fusion systems

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6586975

Rogers, J D; Boenig, H J; Hassenzahl, W V

Superconducting inductors provide a compact and efficient means of storing electrical energy without an intermediate conversion process. Energy storage inductors are under development for load leveling and transmission line stabilization in electric utility systems and for driving magnetic confinement and plasma heating coils in fusion energy systems. Fluctuating electric power demands force the electric utility industry to have more installed generating capacity than the average load requires. Energy storage can increase the utilization of base-load fossil and nuclear power plants for electric utilities. The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin are developing superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems, which will store and deliver electrical energy for load leveling, peak shaving, and the stabilization of electric utility networks. In the fusion area, inductive energy transfer and storage is being developed. Both 1-ms fast-discharge theta-pinch systems and 1-to-2-s slow energy transfer tokamak systems have been demonstrated. The major components and the method of operation of a SMES unit are described, and potential applications of different size SMES systems in electric power grids are presented. Results are given of a reference design for a 10-GWh unit for load leveling, of a 30-MJ coil proposed for system stabilization, and of tests with a small-scale, 100-kJ magnetic energy storage system. The results of the fusion energy storage and transfer tests are presented. The common technology base for the various storage systems is discussed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6586975
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-78-1213; CONF-781025-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250100* -- Energy Storage-- Magnetic
420201 -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700203 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Power Supplies
Energy Storage
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
DESIGN
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
MAGNETIC ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PINCH DEVICES
POWER SUPPLIES
STORAGE
SUPERCONDUCTING COILS
TESTING
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOROIDAL PINCH DEVICES
TOROIDAL THETA PINCH DEVICES
USES