Estimation of AC transport loss using finite element model for different arrangements of 2G HTS tape for single-phase HTS power cable

Superconducting power cables are one of the applications of High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) and are highly desirable for efficient electricity transportation. For the cost evaluation of the HTS cable in operation, the alternating current (AC) loss is an important technical economic parameter, which directly determines the thermal generation and the associated design of the refrigeration system. The use of second-generation (2G) HTS tapes on the round core cable-former increases the current carrying capacity with high critical magnetic field and low energy loss. These 2G tapes are tightly wound on the former in multiple layers with optimized spacing between neighbouring turns of the coil. The AC losses in the HTS power cable are majorly influenced by the assembling of these HTS tapes due to the electro-magnetic interaction between them. In this paper, different arrangements of HTS tape for a single-phase HTS power cable are compared for the calculation of AC transport losses using H-formulation finite element model (FEM), simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics. The results show that the even numbered opposite-wound layers reduce the eddy current loss due to the cancellation of the self-field. The AC transport current loss is more concentrated towards the outer layer, which acts as the shielding layer for the HTS power cable. (author)