Transient performance of a High-Temperature-Superconducting generator

This paper discusses the transient performance of a High-Temperature-Superconducting (HTS) synchronous generator. The transients of interest include those which are initiated during the course of normal operation, e.g. the sudden removal of a portion of the system load, as well as those which result from fault conditions, e.g. a three-phase terminal short circuit. In power-system terms, a shipboard electrical system is an isolated island and hence the generator response to a transient is likely to be more severe than if the generator were subjected to a similar transient when connected to a large, land-based system. This paper presents models for the generator and various system components as well as typical simulation results. In addition, the paper discusses some differences between superconducting and conventional generators which must be taken into account as HTS generators are considered for marine applications. Based upon the studies illustrated here, there do not appear to be any significant electrically-based hurdles to the application of HTS generators to marine applications.