Description of a micro-SMES system for protection of critical customer facilities

The system configuration, theory of operation, computer simulations, and important application experiences of a small (750 kVA) superconducting magnetic energy storage device (Micro-SMES) for application on power distribution circuits to enhance customer power quality are presented. The functions of the major components of the Micro-SMES are separately discussed and the operation of each component is illustrated with an Electro-Magnetic Transients Program (EMTP) simulation example. Application performance characteristics obtained from the first practical installation of a Micro-SMES are summarized and its protection effectiveness is evaluated.