Fault Current Limiting CORC Distribution Cables Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-026 Topic Title: Fault Current Limiting CORC Distribution Cables Proposal No.: N161-026-0662 Firm: Advanced Conductor Technologies LLC 3082 Sterling Circle Unit B Boulder, Colorado 80301 Contact: van der Phone: (720) 933-5674 Web Site: http://www.advancedconductor.com Abstract: Future power systems on Navy ships require electrical power in the order of 20-80 MW, which currently can't be provided by conventional copper or aluminum power cables. Advanced Conductor Technologies LLC (ACT) has been developing high-temperature superconducting Conductor on Round Core (CORCr) power transmission cables, rated at 10 kA per phase, for the Navy that form a potential solution in which the required power can be transported in a lightweight and low-loss system. A benefit of HTS power cables is that they could limit the current to a maximum value and would protect all electrical equipment against overcurrent, which significantly reduces the requirements of these devices. Advanced Conductor Technologies (ACT), together with the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) propose to develop fault current limiting (FCL) CORCr cables for use in naval power transmission systems. We will determine methods to incorporate a high-resistance shunt needed to limit the current during a fault within the CORCr cable. Several FCL CORCr cables will be tested to verify their current limiting capabilities and to verify if they could be operated in cryogenic helium gas. We'll develop methods to mitigate asphyxiation hazards associated with liquid nitrogen if helium gas operation is deemed unfeasible. Benefits: If successful, the results of the proposed program will be the proven feasibility of developing fault current limiting CORCr power transmission cables. These cables will significantly reduce the requirements of all electrical equipment with regard to fault currents. They will also result in a power transmission system that is able to quickly return to its normal operating mode after the fault has cleared. A FCL CORCr cable has a very high likelihood of transitioning within the Navy. The FCL CORCr power transmission systems will be developed into a commercial product that can be applied for various applications within the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, NASA, data centers and other markets. Return