DON26BZ01-NV016 — Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) Power Interfaces
Award Maximum: $140,000 (Base) / $100,000 (Option) Period of Performance: 6 months (Base) + 6 months (Option) Phase Type: Phase I
OBJECTIVE: Develop a Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) system to support intermittent pulsed power loads by providing a consistent load to the generation source during pulsed power duty cycle.
DESCRIPTION: A Navy ship's electric plant and the electrical load aboard the vessel mimics an electrical microgrid structure to distribute power. Conventional plant designs have separate mechanical propulsion and weapons systems with the electrical plant to support hotel and combat systems. Future all-electric naval ships will require all prime movers to have the functionality of distributed electrical generators to power a wide variety of loads ranging from conventional electronics, electric propulsion systems, and pulsed power systems to drive electric weaponry. The pulsed power systems will draw power from the ship's electrical distribution to enable continuous operation.
While large-scale energy storage may support operations, high-rate intermittent storage is necessary to ensure the electrical distribution and prime movers are provided with relatively consistent loading. During the charge process of the pulsed power system, a considerable amount of power will be drawn from the electrical grid for time durations on the order of seconds with a lapse in between charges. The large power drawn in an intermittent fashion is difficult to control and difficult for non-stiff electrical generators to supply. Enabling technologies to support a supplemental high-rate storage system is required for pulsed power loads to be effectively used on board the ship without disruption to other loads or damage to the distributed generators.
SMES systems are a relatively new technology that can charge and discharge energy at rates to support the various loads that new Navy ship designs are targeting. The Navy seeks a full-scale pulsed power SMES system to store energy between 4-10 MJ at a 2-4 MW power level. The energy storage system developed is expected to charge at a rate of > 1 MW and to deliver power > 1 MW. The energy will be pulsed at a power duty cycle > 80% at a discharge/charge ratio of 1:1 and accept power at a sub-second response rate. The Navy desires the energy storage interface to withstand voltages > 1000 V.
PHASE I: Develop a concept for an intermediate storage approach that utilizes advanced high-rate components to continuously accept and provide power to operate on a load leveling basis. At a minimum, modeling and simulation should be performed to aid in proving the concepts are feasible. Small scale proof of concept experimentation may also be performed. Control algorithms that maintain load leveling should be developed and demonstrated on small-scale hardware systems. The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.
PHASE II: Develop and deliver a prototype that demonstrates the conceptual architecture and controls at a relevant scale that aligns to the requirements as provided within this topic for voltage and rates. Ensure that modes of continuous operation will be shown without degradation of the device and will support operations under elevated temperature regimes up to 122°F. Build additional intermediate storage devices to be tested at a facility by exposing them to a variety of pulsed power system concepts as well as abusive conditions. Cycle the modules for extended periods to fully characterize degradation and capacity loss with use under relevant conditions. Deliver any Phase II-developed hardware to the Navy for additional evaluation.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Assist the Navy in transitioning the technology to Navy use. Apply the knowledge gained in Phase II to build a multiple-MW scale system to support intermediate storage operations. In microgrid applications, additional areas of usage are high-rate charge/discharge applications including fast-dispatch frequency regulation, large power system load leveling and scheduling. SMES has been implemented to stabilize power in the electrical grid in papermill factories in South Africa and the electrical power feed for a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Japan.
KEYWORDS: Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES); High-Charge Rate; High-Discharge Rate; Power Dense Energy Storage; Pulsed-Power Delivery; High-Duty Cycle Energy Storage