A Superconducting Fault Current Limiter for Shipboard Power Systems Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Topic No.: N06-134 Topic Title: A Superconducting Fault Current Limiter for Shipboard Power Systems Proposal No.: N062-134-0513 Firm: Creare Inc. P.O. Box 71 Hanover, New Hampshire 03755 Contact: Bruce Pilvelait Phone: (603) 643-3800 Web Site: www.creare.com Abstract: As the U.S. Navy moves toward greater shipboard electrical loads, advances in transmission, distribution, and protection technologies are becoming more important. In particular, as fault currents increase due to the use of generators with greater voltage and fault currents, circuit breakers with insufficient breaking or short duration carrying capacity are put at risk. Finally, as the U.S. Navy moves toward an Integrated Fight Through Power System, it is important to be able to isolate loads and faults without failure, so the mission at hand can be fulfilled. Superconducting materials are ideal candidates for fault current limiters (FCL) and have been discussed for decades. With the advances in High Temperature Superconductors (HTS), practical implementation is now possible for these applications. Creare proposes to develop a HTS FCL that accomplishes these goals and can be applied directly to future U.S. Navy platforms. In Phase I, we will demonstrate feasibility with a comprehensive design study. We will establish performance goals, as well as metrics, which can be used to evaluate feasibility in Phase II. During Phase II, we will further demonstrate operation of a prototype fault current limiter. Benefits: This FCL technology will improve the reliability of high capacity power systems. The initial application will be for shipboard power systems, which have a critical need for generators with greater capacity and, thereby, greater fault currents. Our superconducting FCL technology will improve reliability of commercial power systems as well. It could serve to protect bus-ties, distributed generators from system faults, and circuit breakers with inadequate breaking or short-term carrying capacity. Return