Design for a superconductive power cable for SMES

Superconductive power cables are considered for use as the busbar between a 5500-MWh superconductive magnetic energy storage (SMES) coil and the power-conditioning circuits. The busbar is configured to minimize forces due to the magnetic field. Three design options for the superconducting cable are presented. The peak operating current is 230 kA. Room-temperature copper cable is connected in parallel to the superconductive cable for redundant operation in the event of loss of cooling of the superconductor. Calculations of temperature rise versus time without cooling are presented.<>