N15A-T016 TITLE: Hybrid High Ampacity Electric Power Cable

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Battlespace, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS501-LCS Program

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate an innovative low loss hybrid electrical power conductor which, under normal operating conditions, functions as a high current density power cable (35 Mega-amperes per square meter (MA/m^2)) greatly exceeding the ampacity through conventional copper cables (3 MA/m^2). During a loss of power to any associated supporting system which enables the high current density of the cable, the cable system remains capable of delivering 30% of the full rated cable current.

DESCRIPTION: Future ship platforms are expected to field electric weapons and sensors with power and energy demands that are much higher than in today�s ships. Improved power distribution technology is needed to meet these demands and support a fully integrated power system which maximizes efficient use of installed power generation. Using conventional copper cables at a specified voltage, higher power electric mission load demands would be met by increasing the number of installed copper cables, thereby increasing the weight of the integrated power system. Today�s budgetary climate forces the Navy to control ship acquisition costs by constraining the overall size/displacement of new ships so that they are no larger (or perhaps even smaller) than today�s ships. The continued use of conventional electrical system implementation methods will limit the amount of power system infrastructure within the machinery spaces (and therefore limit the power available to mission loads), which would likely result in a ship with reduced mission capabilities. Increasing power density of electrical distribution components and cables is necessary to meet power demands of future navy ships.

The objective of this effort is to develop and demonstrate an advanced conductor or power cable technology that greatly exceeds the ampacity limits of conventional copper cables while minimizing associated cables losses. The losses in proposed power cable concepts or supporting equipment should not exceed that of copper conductor equivalent solutions. One potential technology area for consideration is a hybrid high temperature superconducting (HTS) and copper power cable capable of functioning at a reduced capacity in the event of a cryogenic cooling system failure. This configuration would support ship machinery system start-up and shut down operations while also increasing survivability through reduced capacity operation.

Proposed solutions should consider alternate conductor technologies that provide clear advantages in size, weight, gravimetric and volumetric power density, cost, and/or electrical distribution efficiency while considering the impacts of the proposed cable system in an integrated power system environment. Proposed solution topologies may consider voltage in the range of 1-5 kV with a current rating on the order of 2-5 kA. This solicitation is not limiting the cable architecture and concepts of monopoles, dipoles, DC, and AC can be explored. Voltage and current levels outside the suggest range will also be considered.

PHASE I: Define and develop an alternative power conductor or cable technology concept that meets the stated objectives as discussed in the Description section. Feasibility of the proposed concept should be demonstrated through modeling, analysis, and/or bench top experimentation where appropriate. Clear benefits in terms of size, weight, cost, power density, and/or electrical distribution efficiency shall be quantified as compared to a copper cable solution The Phase I final report should clearly capture the feasibility and viability that the proposed concept can be further matured if awarded a Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop and fabricate a prototype based on the Phase I work for demonstration and characterization of key parameters of the cable system. The prototype demonstration should be capable of full scale voltage and current according to the design and relevant testing should be completed to prove the full scale metrics. Based on what is learned through the prototype demonstration, a substantially complete design of a cable system should be completed to allow for Navy qualification testing. This design will include all ancillary equipment required to operate the cable including cable terminations, cryogenic systems, dielectric solutions, etc. when applicable to the proposed concept.

PHASE III: The company will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the technology for Navy use. This includes teaming with appropriate industry partners to provide a fully qualified power cable for interested acquisition programs.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The desired hybrid electrical power conductor technology has direct applications in commercial power grids, power distribution, electric power conversion, cryogenic power applications, and arctic operations, making it broadly applicable to the commercial world.

REFERENCES:
1. V. Selvamanickam, A. Xu, Y. Liu, N.D. Khatri, E. Galstyan and G. Majkic (University of Houston), C. Lei and Y. Chen (SuperPower), "Correlation between in-field critical currents in Zr-added (Gd, Y)Ba2Cu3Ox superconducting tapes at 30 and 77 K," Superconductor Science and Technology, 27, 055010, March 11, 2014.

2. D.W. Hazelton, "2G HTS Properties Beyond Critical Current," CHATS-AS 2013 Workshop, October 11, 2013, Cambridge, MA, USA.

3. V. Selvamanickam, I. Kesgin, A. Guevara, T. Shi, Y. Yao, Y. Zhang, Y. Zhang, and G. Majkic (UH); Y. Chen, Y. Qiao, S. Sambandam, G. Carota, A. Rar, Y. Xie, and J. Dackow (SuperPower), "Progress in Research and Development of IBAD-MOCVD Based Superconducting Wires," Applied Superconductivity Conference, August 2, 2010, Washington, DC, USA.

KEYWORDS: Electrical Power Conductor; Power Distribution Transmission; Electric Power Efficiency; Extreme Temperature Operation; Enhanced Performance; Thermal Performance

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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