Modelling and network analysis of HVDC HTS cables under grid faults

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Chaganti, Pavan and Yuan, Weijia and Xu, Lie and Zhang, Min and Fitzgerald, John (2026) Modelling and network analysis of HVDC HTS cables under grid faults. IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 36 (5). pp. 1-6. 5401706. ISSN 1051-8223 (https://doi.org/10.1109/tasc.2026.3694313)

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Abstract

Superconductor cables are an advanced solution for efficient power transmission in modern electrical grids, offering minimal energy losses and a compact design. However, ensuring their reliability requires maintaining temperature and current below critical limits (Tc and Tc). Understanding the effects of grid faults on these cables is crucial for system stability. This study presents a novel discretized electrical-thermal-hydraulic model for a 100 km-long, high-power superconducting cable with Tc = 34 45 kA, HVDC transmission (100 kV, 2 GW). A superconducting joint was fabricated, achieving an average resistance of 7 nΩ, and added this resistance value in the simulation. Additionally, a single REBCO tape was experimentally quenched, and the measured current and temperature were compared with the simulation results for validation. A discretized element model with 100 segments was used to analyse key parameters such as temperature distribution, resistance, critical current, and losses. A pole to-ground (PG) fault of 41.5 kA was simulated to examine current distribution between the copper former and HTS tapes. A 2D T-A model of a 10-kA subsea HTS cable was developed in COMSOL Multiphysics to evaluate electromagnetic behaviour and harmonic ripple losses. Experimental results confirmed the accuracy of the simulations. Moreover, integrating a Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) proved effective in mitigating fault impacts and maintaining cable stability by preventing the quench of the HTS power cable. This paper presents key findings on optimizing cryogenic cooling, fault management, and cable topology for reliable HVDC HTS power transmission.

ORCID iDs

Chaganti, Pavan ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3249-6461, Yuan, Weijia ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7953-4704, Xu, Lie ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5633-7866, Zhang, Min ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4296-7730 and Fitzgerald, John;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)