LS Electric Begins Demonstration of Superconducting Current Limiter with KEPCO

"Expectations for Global Market Entry Following Commercialization"

LS Electric has completed the construction of a superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) demonstration test site in collaboration with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to reduce the magnitude of fault currents occurring in power systems using superconductors. They are starting demonstration tests for commercialization.

On the 14th, LS Electric and KEPCO held a completion ceremony for the 22.9kV/2000A superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) test site at KEPCO's Seogochang Substation in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do. About 100 officials from both companies attended, including Kim Tae-gyun, CTO of KEPCO's Technology Innovation Headquarters, and Oh Jae-seok, Vice President of LS Electric.

The SFCL is a device that uses superconductors and normally does not affect the power system, but when an arbitrary fault such as a short circuit or lightning strike occurs in the system, it reduces the fault current within 1~2 milliseconds(ms; 1ms = one-thousandth of a second). It changes the magnitude of the fault current to a normal current level within a few milliseconds, minimizing damage to power equipment caused by fault currents.

Kim Tae-gyun, Head of KEPCO Technology Innovation Headquarters (fifth from the right), and Oh Jae-seok, Vice President of LS Electric (fifth from the left), along with officials from both companies, are taking a commemorative photo at the completion ceremony of the Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) test site held at KEPCO Seogochang Substation on the 14th. / Photo by LS Electric

In Korea, the relatively short length of system lines and their interconnection can lead to large-scale blackouts when fault currents occur. Especially with the expansion of renewable energy and distributed power sources, this phenomenon has intensified, making devices that limit fault currents essential to enhance stable power supply and protection reliability.

In response to these market demands and trends, LS Electric and KEPCO developed a large-capacity medium voltage (MV) superconducting fault current limiter for system interconnection, including renewable and distributed power sources. The device was installed at KEPCO's Seogochang Substation and will undergo trial operation starting next month, followed by real system connection and demonstration operation.

The SFCL developed by LS Electric and KEPCO has the world's largest capacity at the distribution level while maintaining a minimal size (30% of existing products). Its core components are modularized, allowing customized installation in any system without rated design. Instead of increasing circuit breaker capacity to prepare for fault currents generated when renewables are interconnected and operated in existing systems, it is advantageous to simply add modularized current limiters of the required capacity. This reduces replacement costs and enhances economic efficiency.

LS Electric expects that once the developed SFCL is commercialized, it will be possible to enter not only the domestic but also the overseas superconducting market. They are targeting entry into Southeast Asian and European markets. Negotiations for SFCL introduction are underway with countries such as Vietnam and Ireland.

An LS Electric official said, "The superconducting SFCL will become an essential facility in power systems that are gradually becoming larger and more complex due to increased power usage and the expansion of renewable energy," adding, "We look forward to entering the global market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.