Evaluation of superconducting magnetic energy storage
Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems differ from other storage systems presently in use, or considered for use, by the electric utility industry, principally because of the radically different technology involved. SMES also has certain unique advantages: it appears to be able to store and deliver energy at very high efficiency, and it can switch from the charge to discharge mode in a few tens of milliseconds. The combination of these two desirable characteristics distinguishes SMES from almost all other energy storage systems. This investigation was undertaken to discover if the nation and the electric utility industry might benefit sufficiently from the use of SMES systems to justify continued research and development support by DOE. At present, systems development is in a relatively early stage, and much component development for many of the major subsystems remains to be performed. It appears each SMES unit will be large and therefore expensive; also that the investment in research and development required to achieve final commercial success may be substantial.
- Research Organization:
- Little (Arthur D.), Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States); Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 5353328
- Report Number(s):
- ANL-K-79-4917-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
25 ENERGY STORAGE
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
MAGNETIC ENERGY STORAGE
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
MAGNETIC ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
INVESTMENT
SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS
US DOE
USA
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETS
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
MAGNETS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
PUBLIC UTILITIES
STORAGE
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES
US ORGANIZATIONS
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