AMSC and Nexans have introduced to the North American market a medium-voltage superconductor fault current limiter (SFCL) solution. According to the companies, the system is passive, typically sitting idle and "invisible" to the grid, but it can sense and then suppress fault currents when they occur, sparing transformers, switchgear and other equipment from damage and protecting the broader power grid.
"We are pleased to be expanding our product line and our relationship with Nexans with the launch of the SFCL," says AMSC President and CEO Daniel P. McGahn. "Having successfully teamed to install superconductor power cables and develop and demonstrate SFCL systems, both AMSC and Nexans believe the time is now to begin capitalizing on the tremendous potential that exists for these offerings in the utility market."
The companies are offering SFCL systems with ratings up to 36 kV, and the systems will employ AMSC's Amperium superconductor wire.
