Mobile HTS Power Modules for EMP-Resilient Black Start
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power generation facilities are often located far from power delivery locations and are rendered inoperable by extreme electromagnetic incidents (such as EMP or GMD) causing widespread damage to electric power systems, making it difficult to black-start the system and deliver power to remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile power system using high temperature superconductor (HTS) components, including generators and cables, enclosed in Faraday cages for protection, and a cryogenic cooling system, transported via rail or ship, to provide temporary power and enable black-start operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power generation facilities are located far from power delivery locations, then power can be delivered to remote locations, but the facilities are rendered inoperable by extreme electromagnetic incidents
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile power system is divided into multiple transportable modules (containers or train cars) that can be moved to remote locations. Each module contains specific components (generators, cables, cooling systems) that are protected during transport and deployment, enabling power delivery to remote areas while maintaining operational reliability through modular protection strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
Faraday enclosures are integrated into the mobile power system components before deployment to preemptively protect against electromagnetic incidents. These enclosures are designed to shield sensitive equipment from EMP/GMD attacks, ensuring the system remains operational even when deployed to remote locations vulnerable to such incidents.
2Productivity
If conventional power systems are used, then power generation and delivery can be achieved, but the systems suffer widespread damage from EMP or GMD events
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile power system employs high temperature superconductor (HTS) components that operate at elevated temperatures compared to conventional superconductors, reducing the burden of cryogenic cooling while maintaining superconducting properties. This parameter change enables more practical deployment of HTS technology in mobile applications without sacrificing productivity or vulnerability resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates HTS materials with conventional materials in composite structures, such as HTS windings in generators and HTS cables with conventional cooling systems. This composite approach leverages the high current-carrying capacity of HTS materials to improve power generation and delivery capability while the protective enclosures and design mitigate vulnerability to electromagnetic incidents.
3Power
If HTS components are used, then sufficient power can be delivered to remote locations, but cryogenic cooling systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile power system incorporates self-contained cryogenic cooling systems within each module that operate autonomously during deployment. The cooling systems are integrated with the HTS components and can maintain superconducting temperatures without external support, enabling the system to deliver sufficient power to remote locations while managing the complexity of cryogenic requirements through self-sufficient modular design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively protects against EMP/GMD attacks and delivers sufficient power to remote locations, enabling reliable and resilient power restoration even in the face of extreme electromagnetic incidents.
Implementation Method 1
a power generator contained in a faraday enclosure in a first container of the plurality of containers
Implementation Method 2
The power generator may be a high temperature superconductor (HTS) generator
Implementation Method 3
The power cable may be a HTS power cable
Implementation Method 4
a cryogenic cooling system contained in a third faraday enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile power system configured to be transported on a vehicle for supplying temporary electric power to a remote electric power system. The mobile power system includes a plurality of containers configured to be transported on the vehicle. There is a power generator contained in a faraday enclosure in a first container of the plurality of containers; and a power cable configured to be electrically interconnected to the power generator at a first end and configured to be electrically interconnected to the electric power system at a second end. The power cable contained in a faraday enclosure of a second container of the plurality of containers.