Cryogenic Design for Large Superconductive Energy Storage Magnets

In 1972 Boom and Peterson [1] suggested that large superconductive magnets might be economically feasible as energy storage systems for electric power grids. Their early work was based on general magnetic and cryogenic design criteria with structural requirements quantified by the virial theorem. Subsequent work has been directed to the task of identifying the optimum configuration with follow-up studies aimed at analyses of key elements. Because of its great cost impact, particular attention has been devoted to selection of the magnet operating temperature and the method of cooling. Appreciable effort has also gone into developing generalized methods of calculating optimum locations and temperatures for thermal radiation shields and support heat intercepts.