What is superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES)?

Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) is an innovative system that employs superconducting coils to store electrical energy directly as electromagnetic energy, which can then be released back into the grid or other loads as needed.

What is magnetic energy storage in a short-circuited superconducting coil?

An illustration of magnetic energy storage in a short-circuited superconducting coil (Reference: supraconductivite.fr) A SMES system is more of an impulsive current source than a storage device for energy.

What are the advantages of superconducting magnetic energy storage?

There are various advantages of adopting superconducting magnetic energy storage over other types of energy storage. The most significant benefit of SMES is the minimal time delay between charge and discharge. Power is practically instantly available, and very high power output can be delivered for a short time.

How does a superconducting coil store energy?

First, some materials carry current with no resistive losses. Second, electric currents produce magnetic fields. Third, magnetic fields are a form of pure energy which can be stored. SMES combines these three fundamental principles to efficiently store energy in a superconducting coil.

How does a superconducting wire work?

The superconducting wire is precisely wound in a toroidal or solenoid geometry, like other common induction devices, to generate the storage magnetic field. As the amount of energy that needs to be stored by the SMES system grows, so must the size and amount of superconducting wire.

How does a superconductor store energy?

The Coil and the Superconductor The superconducting coil, the heart of the SMES system, stores energy in the magnetic fieldgenerated by a circulating current (EPRI, 2002). The maximum stored energy is determined by two factors: a) the size and geometry of the coil, which determines the inductance of the coil.