JP-7856647-B2 - Suspension-type superconducting transmission line

JP7856647B2JP 7856647 B2JP7856647 B2JP 7856647B2JP-7856647-B2

Inventors

アッシュワース，スティーブンポール
モリコーニ，フランコ
ハイデル，ティモシーデイビッド

Assignees

ヴェイル，インコーポレイテッド

Dates

Publication Date: 20260511
Application Date: 20211111
Priority Date: 20201118

Claims (20)

A power transmission system, Multiple support towers, A plurality of conductor assemblies suspended above the ground surface, each of the plurality of conductor assemblies being positioned between a pair of support towers and mechanically supported by the pair of support towers, each conductor assembly comprising an electrical conductor including a superconducting material, and configured to receive a flow of coolant to maintain the superconducting material within a temperature range below the ambient temperature , A power transmission system comprising at least one of the plurality of support towers, which includes an intermediate coolant configured to exhaust steam generated by a liquid coolant during the operation of the power transmission system .
Each conductor assembly further includes an insulating jacket configured to contain the coolant flow, The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating jacket is not electrically isolated from the operating voltage of the power transmission system.
Each conductor assembly further includes an insulating jacket having an inner surface that is maintained at a temperature similar to that of the electrical conductor, The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the insulating jacket is configured to mechanically support the associated conductor assembly.
Further comprising multiple mechanical supports, The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical supports is configured to mechanically support one of the plurality of conductor assemblies.
Each of the plurality of conductor assemblies further includes a thermal insulation jacket and a dielectric insulator disposed between the electrical conductor and the thermal insulation jacket. The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric insulator includes one of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or polypropylene laminated paper (PPLP).
Each of the plurality of conductor assemblies further includes a thermal insulation jacket having a dielectric insulator disposed between two concentric walls, The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric insulator includes at least one of XLPE or PPLP.
Each of the plurality of conductor assemblies further includes a thermal insulation jacket and a dielectric insulator. The power transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric insulator is disposed between the outer surface of the heat insulating jacket and the outer surface of the conductor assembly.
The power transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising each conductor assembly an electrically grounded thermal insulation jacket and a dielectric insulator disposed between the electrical conductor and the thermal insulation jacket.
A power transmission system, A plurality of support tower assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of support tower assemblies includes a support tower and one of a plurality of end portions, A plurality of conductor assemblies suspended above the ground surface, wherein each of the plurality of conductor assemblies is positioned between a pair of support towers and mechanically supported by that pair of support towers, The power transmission system comprises a cryogenic supply system configured to deliver a cryogenic agent to at least one of the plurality of terminations for cooling the conductor assembly during operation, Each of the plurality of conductor assemblies includes a superconducting current-carrying element and an insulating jacket through which the coolant flows to maintain the temperature of the superconducting current-carrying element within a temperature range below the ambient temperature . A power transmission system in which at least one of the plurality of support tower assemblies includes an intermediate coolant configured to exhaust steam generated by the refrigerant during the operation of the power transmission system .
The power transmission system according to claim 9 , wherein the refrigerant comprises at least one of liquid nitrogen, liquid hydrogen, liquid helium, liquid neon, liquid natural gas, or liquid air.
The power transmission system according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of the insulation jackets is not electrically isolated from the operating voltage of the power transmission system.
The power transmission system according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of the aforementioned insulation jackets is electrically grounded.
The power transmission system according to claim 9 , wherein the superconducting current-carrying element includes one of a plurality of superconductor-containing wires or a plurality of superconductor-containing tapes.
The power transmission system according to claim 9 , wherein the cryogenic supply system comprises a control unit configured to supply the cryogen to at least one of the plurality of terminals at a selected temperature and pressure.
The power transmission system of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the insulation jackets mechanically supports the associated suspended conductor assembly.
The power transmission system of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the insulation jackets includes a tension support element disposed inside it and configured to mechanically support the associated suspended conductor assembly.
Each of the plurality of conductor assemblies is connected to the relevant support tower assembly among the plurality of support tower assemblies via an insulator. The power transmission system of claim 9 , wherein the insulator provides electrical insulation of the conductor assembly from the associated support tower assembly.
The plurality of conductor assemblies form a transmission line, The power transmission system according to claim 9 , wherein the coolant flows along a direction parallel to the transmission line during the operation of the power transmission system.
A power transmission system, A plurality of support tower assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of support tower assemblies includes a support tower and one of a plurality of end portions, A plurality of conductor assemblies suspended above the ground surface, wherein each of the plurality of conductor assemblies is positioned between a pair of support towers and mechanically supported by that pair of support towers, The power transmission system comprises a coolant supply system configured to deliver a coolant fluid to at least one of the plurality of terminals for cooling the conductor assembly during operation, Each of the plurality of conductor assemblies includes a superconducting current-carrying element and an insulating jacket configured to protect the superconducting current-carrying element from heat during operation of the power transmission system. A power transmission system in which at least one of the plurality of support tower assemblies includes an intermediate coolant configured to exhaust steam generated by the coolant fluid during the operation of the power transmission system .
The system further comprises a plurality of recooling stations configured to correct either the temperature or pressure of the coolant fluid, The power transmission system according to claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of recooling stations is maintained at the operating voltage of the power transmission system and isolated from the ground potential.

Description

Related applications [0001] This application claims priority and interest to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/115,140, filed on 18 November 2020 and titled “Suspended Superconducting Transmission Lines,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [0002] This disclosure relates to the field of power transmission, and more specifically to the distribution of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power using overhead suspension transmission lines. [0003] Electricity is typically transported from its point of origin to consumer loads using a power grid ("grid"). The power grid includes components such as generators, transformers, switchgear, transmission lines and distribution lines, as well as control and protection devices. [0004] Embodiments described herein relate to power transmission systems with cooling mechanisms and methods for operating them. In some embodiments, the power transmission system includes a plurality of support tower assemblies. Each of the support tower assemblies includes a support tower. One or more of the support tower assemblies include a termination (i.e., a connection point through which current and/or coolant can enter and/or exit the transmission line). The power transmission system further includes a plurality of conductor assemblies suspended above the ground. Each conductor assembly includes an electrical conductor and is positioned between a pair of support towers of the plurality and mechanically supported by the pair of support towers. Each conductor assembly includes a superconducting current-carrying element and is configured to receive a coolant flow to maintain the superconducting material within a temperature range below the ambient temperature. In some embodiments, each conductor assembly may optionally include a thermally insulating jacket (also referred to herein as an insulating jacket ("TIJ")) for containing the coolant flow. In some embodiments, the insulation jacket is not electrically isolated from the operating voltage of the power transmission system. The power transmission system further includes a coolant supply system that delivers a coolant fluid to at least one of a plurality of terminations for cooling the conductor assembly during operation of the power transmission system. [0005] This is a block diagram showing the components of an example of a superconducting overhead power transmission system according to one embodiment.[0006] A superconducting OH power transmission system including an OH power transmission line and related subsystems according to one embodiment is shown.[0007] A perspective view of a section of a conductor assembly for a superconducting OH power transmission line/system according to one embodiment is shown.[0008] A perspective view of a section of a conductor assembly for a superconducting OH power transmission line/system, which includes an electrical insulating section disposed within a TIJ adjacent to one or more superconductors (superconducting wires or tapes), according to one embodiment.[0009] A perspective view of a section of a conductor assembly for a superconducting OH power transmission line/system, including an electrical insulating section disposed outside the TIJ, according to one embodiment.[0010] A perspective view of a section of a conductor assembly used in a superconducting OH power transmission line/system, including a coolant tube, according to one embodiment. [0011] The embodiments described herein relate to a power transmission system comprising superconducting cables and a cooling mechanism, and a method for manufacturing and operating the same. The superconducting cables used in the power transmission system described herein can operate at up to 10 times the current of conventional wires while maintaining superconductivity. Higher currents allow for lower voltages and smaller right-of-way. In addition, energy can be transported through the power transmission system at higher speeds, through narrower right-of-way, and with reduced energy loss, in contrast to known systems. Furthermore, by incorporating an active cooling mechanism into the superconducting power transmission system, the power transmission lines of this disclosure can exhibit reduced sag and creep, and/or more consistent sag and creep over time, in contrast to known systems. In other words, the power transmission lines of this disclosure can exhibit sag and/or creep that is not variable or substantially constant over time, taking into account the actively controlled temperature of the power transmission line. [0012] Known power transmission systems interconnect power plants with consumer loads using continuous electrical conductors. Power plants such as thermal (e.g., steam-driven) power plants, nuclear power plants, hydroelectric power plants, natural gas power plants, solar power plants, and wind power plants typically generate electrical energy at AC voltages ranging from 15 kV to 25