DEVELOPMENT OF HTS CURRENT LEADS FOR 1KWH 1MW MODULE TYPE SMES SYSTEM.2. MANUFACTURING AND TESTING OF PROTOTYPE LEADS/

We have been developing HTS current leads for a 1kWh/1MW module type S MES system (which we call ''ESK'' for Experimental SMES of Kyushu Elec tric Power Co., Inc.), Each module of a module type SMES system has a pair of current leads. For the purpose of reducing the heat load from the current leads, we have employed a bulk HTS. As a step in the prepa ration of HTS current leads for ESK, we trial produced HTS current lea ds and tested them to evaluate their characteristics. Our test results indicated that the heat load in a steady state at a rated current of 1 kA and with a rated flow rate of 0.05 gls was 0.035 W, well below th e specified value of 0.1 W. Also, our results indicated that the HTS c urrent leads can be satisfactorily energized for pulsing operation at a rated current for ESK of 500A-1 kA. The heat load under such conditi ons was 0.025 W, approximately 80% of that under normal 1 kA operating conditions. It was also verified that operation could be continued fo r 15 minutes even when the coolant flow was stopped.