Enhancement of DUBAL Network Operational Performance Using HTS-FCL

Power systems suffer from escalating fault levels that impact system's security, reliability, and investments. To limit fault currents in power plants, fault current limiter (FCL) is one of approaches used by utilities. With the increase of fault currents, more effective (FCL) topologies are being introduced to reduce fault levels. In Dubai Aluminum (DUBAL), series current limiting reactors are currently used. In this paper, a case study is carried out where new Resistive High Temperature Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (HTS-FCL) are proposed. The study investigates the advantages of this new technology not only to reduce fault currents but also to enhance network security and stability. The plant is modelled using IPSA software and analysis of fault currents, harmonics and voltage profiles is carried out for various fault scenarios when the resistive HTS-FCL are introduced at various locations of the plant. A simple model of HTS-FCL is developed for this analysis. The results are compared with those obtained with the current case where series reactors are used as FCL. The results of harmonic analysis and voltage profile are also compared with measurements carried out on the real plant.