Comsol Case Studies Upgrading the Nuts and Bolts of the Electrical Grid for A New Generation

	Upgrading the Nuts and Bolts of the Electrical Grid for A New Generation Comsol

Upgrading the Nuts and Bolts of the Electrical Grid for A New Generation

Comsol

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Applicable Industries	Electrical Grids Utilities
Applicable Functions	Facility Management Maintenance
Use Cases	Energy Management System Predictive Maintenance Smart City Operations
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	The modernization of the electrical grid to a 'smart grid' involves not only IT and embedded systems but also the critical 'nuts and bolts' components like transformers, cable joints, terminations, bushings, and fault current limiters (FCLs). These components are essential for the grid's reliability and efficiency. The challenge lies in engineering these parts to handle increased voltages and power ratings while minimizing size and cost. Additionally, the adoption of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) faces technological and business hurdles, including the high cost of cooling and the complexity of integrating these devices into the grid. Read More
About Customer	The customer in this case study is a collaboration between ABB AB Corporate Research Power Technologies in Sweden and the Center for Advanced Power Systems at Florida State University (FSU-CAPS) in the United States. ABB is a global leader in power and automation technologies, providing solutions for a wide range of industries, including utilities and electrical grids. FSU-CAPS is a research center focused on advanced power systems, working on innovative solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of electrical grids. The collaboration aims to address the engineering challenges of modernizing the electrical grid, particularly in the areas of high-voltage cable components and fault current limiters. Read More
Solution	To address the engineering challenges, ABB and FSU-CAPS have employed advanced simulation and modeling tools, particularly COMSOL Multiphysics, to optimize the design of high-voltage cable joints, terminations, and bushings. These tools allow for a detailed analysis of the electromagnetic, thermal, and fluid phenomena involved, enabling engineers to minimize the size and cost of these components while ensuring their reliability. Additionally, the collaboration is focused on developing superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) using high-temperature superconductors (HTS). The use of computer modeling and simulation has been critical in overcoming the design challenges associated with SFCLs, such as cooling costs and the integration of these devices into the grid. The team has made significant progress in optimizing the geometries and dimensions of SFCLs, making them more viable for commercial use. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration

Applicable Industries

Electrical Grids

Utilities

Applicable Functions

Facility Management

Maintenance

Use Cases

Energy Management System

Predictive Maintenance

Smart City Operations

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

The modernization of the electrical grid to a 'smart grid' involves not only IT and embedded systems but also the critical 'nuts and bolts' components like transformers, cable joints, terminations, bushings, and fault current limiters (FCLs). These components are essential for the grid's reliability and efficiency. The challenge lies in engineering these parts to handle increased voltages and power ratings while minimizing size and cost. Additionally, the adoption of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) faces technological and business hurdles, including the high cost of cooling and the complexity of integrating these devices into the grid.

About Customer

The customer in this case study is a collaboration between ABB AB Corporate Research Power Technologies in Sweden and the Center for Advanced Power Systems at Florida State University (FSU-CAPS) in the United States. ABB is a global leader in power and automation technologies, providing solutions for a wide range of industries, including utilities and electrical grids. FSU-CAPS is a research center focused on advanced power systems, working on innovative solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of electrical grids. The collaboration aims to address the engineering challenges of modernizing the electrical grid, particularly in the areas of high-voltage cable components and fault current limiters.

Solution

To address the engineering challenges, ABB and FSU-CAPS have employed advanced simulation and modeling tools, particularly COMSOL Multiphysics, to optimize the design of high-voltage cable joints, terminations, and bushings. These tools allow for a detailed analysis of the electromagnetic, thermal, and fluid phenomena involved, enabling engineers to minimize the size and cost of these components while ensuring their reliability. Additionally, the collaboration is focused on developing superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) using high-temperature superconductors (HTS). The use of computer modeling and simulation has been critical in overcoming the design challenges associated with SFCLs, such as cooling costs and the integration of these devices into the grid. The team has made significant progress in optimizing the geometries and dimensions of SFCLs, making them more viable for commercial use.

Impact #1	The use of COMSOL Multiphysics has dramatically improved the design of high-voltage bushings, reducing their size by almost 30% compared to the original design proposal.
Impact #2	Simulation and modeling tools have enabled a detailed analysis of the complex electromagnetic, thermal, and fluid phenomena involved in high-voltage cable components, ensuring their reliability and efficiency.
Impact #3	The collaboration between ABB and FSU-CAPS has led to significant advancements in the development of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs), making them more viable for commercial use.

Impact #1

The use of COMSOL Multiphysics has dramatically improved the design of high-voltage bushings, reducing their size by almost 30% compared to the original design proposal.

Impact #2

Simulation and modeling tools have enabled a detailed analysis of the complex electromagnetic, thermal, and fluid phenomena involved in high-voltage cable components, ensuring their reliability and efficiency.

Impact #3

The collaboration between ABB and FSU-CAPS has led to significant advancements in the development of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs), making them more viable for commercial use.

Benefit #1	The size of high-voltage bushings was reduced by almost 30% compared to the original design proposal.

Benefit #1

The size of high-voltage bushings was reduced by almost 30% compared to the original design proposal.

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Overview

Upgrading the Nuts and Bolts of the Electrical Grid for A New Generation

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit