Design and modelling tools for DC HTS cables for the future railway network in France

Abstract

Abstract The use of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables in power systems increases the transmission capacity, whereas reducing the volume of the installation. In addition, in high current applications, HTS cables considerably reduce power losses, right-of-ways and total system mass. This paper presents different multi-physics studies to be performed to accurately design the direct current (DC) HTS cables for the future railway network planned by the French company SNCF. The process used to design DC cables for high operating current (between 5 kA and 20 kA at 1750 V) made of commercial (RE)BaCuO tapes is presented. In this design process, the critical current density dependence J c(B, θ, T) of the superconducting tapes, the thermal properties of the materials used as well as different cable cooling configurations are considered. Finally, we discuss the selection of the appropriate cooling configuration to ensure adequate cooling of the cable.