| Nexans, France, has recently delivered to RWE, the largest German operator for power transmission at low, medium, high and extra high-voltage, a new superconducting fault current limiters (SFCL) that will enhance supply quality for electricity grids, enabling improved grid structure thanks to core components. Manufactured in the company�s German factory in H�rth, the new SFCL is an innovative energy-technology appliance, preventing the occurrence of high-fault currents in electricity grids. Following stringent field tests, components are required to prove their successful operability in real-life conditions. Nexans� components are based on a high-temperature superconducting ceramic, manufactured according to a proprietary melt-casting process.
High-fault currents, resulting from increasing parallel connections of electricity grids and through more decentralised supplies, can be limited. Conventional switch-gears and fuses react much too slowly for this. Nexans� SFCL has been designed for a performance of 10MVA and is being subjected to a comprehensive field test in the 10kV grid of RWE Energy in Netphen, near Siegen, Germany. Implementation of the SFCL into the energy grid for RWE took place in April 2004. Representatives from participating companies and the Federal Ministry for Education and Research highlighted the importance of this first world-wide field test for superconducting fault current limiters. �Thanks to this success, we now play a leading role with our superconducting material and our component design�, commented Mr Jean-Maxime Saugrain, superconductor activity manager for Nexans, �we are well positioned to take advantage of new developments in this area�. The partners are already planning the next stage, the development of a corresponding appliance for the 110kV transmission level.
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