Integration of new switching technologies in medium-voltage systems

The liberalized, deregulated energy market is setting new standards, and of course is opening up fresh opportunities for power supply corporations and industrial suppliers. Direct competition in power distribution exerts severe cost pressure on system operation. Systems are expanded only if absolutely necessary. The consequence is stagnating or even deteriorating quality of supply. There is a demand for specific solutions in distribution systems which meet the requirements of the changed market and provide a means of acting more flexibly and cost-effectively. In order, for example, to link various system sections flexibly, without impairing stability or short-circuit behavior, new switching technology is called for. The solutions include high-speed circuit-breakers or DC transmission systems based on electronic power modules and superconducting fault current limiters.