Sizing methodology and optimal location of superconducting fault current limiter in DC substations for railways applications

Willy Magloire Nkounga, Khaled Almaksour, Arnaud Allais, Hervé Caron, Christophe Saudemont and Benoit Robyns

Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (MATCOM), 2026, vol. 242, issue C, 1-18

Abstract: The main innovation of this work is proposing a lifespan economic assessment for resistive superconducting faults current limiter (rSFCL) and a sizing methodology for the rSFCL impedance in railways DC substations. In the presence of short-circuit fault, the current can reach up to 30 times its nominal value. A sizing methodology for rSFCL is developed and applied in the presence of faults. Optimization of REBCO tapes is proposed through heat exchange using MATLAB and EMTP-RV, followed by application for fault limitation. Finally, an investigation of several rSFCL positions is conducted to determine the optimal location for better sizing of the circuit breakers. A cost assessment of the system is conducted. A case study is conducted using three 1500V-4kA DC substations with a fault current value of 120 kA. The results show that the rSFCL can limit up to 66.7% the fault current and reduce the size of the circuit breaker by 50%. The substation with the rSFCL offers a minimum total expenditure (TOTEX), comprising CAPEX (capital expenditure) and OPEX (operational expenditure), profitability of 15.5% compared to a traditional substation.

Keywords: Short-circuit fault current; Superconducting fault current limiter; DC substation; Railways network; Transient regime; Cost assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:matcom:v:242:y:2026:i:c:p:1-18

DOI: 10.1016/j.matcom.2025.11.010

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