A Silicon Carbide Based Solid-State Fault Current Limiter for Modern Power Distribution Systems Erik Darnell Johnson University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
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University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 12-2012 A Silicon Carbide Based Solid-State Fault Current Limiter for Modern Power Distribution Systems Erik Darnell Johnson University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Polymer and Organic Materials Commons, Semiconductor and Optical Materials Commons, and the VLSI and Circuits, Embedded and Hardware Systems Commons Recommended Citation Johnson, Erik Darnell, "A Silicon Carbide Based Solid-State Fault Current Limiter for Modern Power Distribution Systems" (2012). Theses and Dissertations. 585. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/585 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. A SILICON CARBIDE BASED SOLID-STATE FAULT CURRENT LIMITER FOR MODERN POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS A SILICON CARBIDE BASED SOLID-STATE FAULT CURRENT LIMITER FOR MODERN POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering By Erik Darnell Johnson University of Arkansas Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, 2006 December 2012 University of Arkansas ABSTRACT The fault current limiter represents a developing technology which will greatly improve the reliability and stability of the power grid. By reducing the magnitude of fault currents in distribution systems, fault current limiters can alleviate much of the damage imposed by these events. Solid-state fault current limiters in particular offer many improved capabilities in comparison to the power system protection equipment which is currently being used for fault current mitigation. The use of silicon carbide power semiconductor devices in solid-state fault current limiters produces a system that would help to advance the infrastructure of the electric grid. A solid-state fault current limiter utilizing silicon carbide super gate-turn off thyristors (SGTOs) and silicon carbide PiN diodes was designed, built, and tested as a technology demonstrator. The impact of using silicon carbide (SiC) devices in this application was assessed, as well as the associated design challenges. The feasibility of implementing SiC based solid- state fault current limiters for 15 kV class distribution systems was investigated in order to determine the practicality of wide-scale deployment. This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. Dissertation Director: ____________________________ Dr. H. Alan Mantooth Dissertation Committee: ____________________________ Dr. Simon Ang ____________________________ Dr. Juan Balda ____________________________ Dr. Alex Lostetter _____________________________ Dr. Roy McCann DISSERTATION DUPLICATION RELEASE I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this dissertation when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agreed_____________________________ Erik Darnell Johnson Refused_____________________________ Erik Darnell Johnson ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to my advisor Dr. Mantooth for all of this guidance and support over the years. He has offered advice to me in a number of different areas over the duration of my graduate studies, and it is greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank my graduate committee members Dr. Balda, Dr. Ang, Dr. McCann, and Dr. Lostetter for always finding time to offer feedback despite their busy schedules. I am also grateful to Mr. T.A. Walton and Mr. Thomas Carter III for always offering words of encouragement and looking after my best interests. Special thanks to Osama Saadeh, with whom I have worked on this project for the past several years. I have learned a lot from him over the years, and I am glad to count him among my good friends. I would like express appreciation the other students that I have had the pleasure to work alongside over the years for great conversation and many outstanding memories, including Mahmood Saadeh, Javier Valle Mayorga, Mihir Mudholkar, Jake Williams, Brian Stalling, Tavis Clemmer, Scott Guerin, and Derik Trowler. Lastly, but certainly not least, I am deeply appreciative for my family. They have been a constant source of encouragement and support, and I am extremely blessed to have them in my life. Thanks to my grandmother Lucille Smith and my aunts, all of whom have provided a strong model of faith that I aspire to achieve. My aunt has Lori has always provided me with dependable advice and unwavering support. My aunt Dorothy has always offered calming words to get me through many difficult times. Thanks to my brother Wayne for always being someone that I always count on for a laugh. I have looked up to him my entire life and am proud to call him my big brother. Most importantly, I would like to thank my mother Helen Johnson. I could not ask for a better parent, and she has been there for me every time I have ever needed. Thanks for being my source of encouragement and always reminding me to turn to prayer in the difficult times. Thanks for always lending an ear to listen and for reminding me of the things that are truly important in this life. Words cannot adequately express my gratefulness. Above all, I hope to honor Christ in all that I do and achieve. It is by his grace and mercy that I am here, and through his strength that I can do all things. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Fault Currents in Power Systems ..................................................................................... 1 1.2 Protection Against Fault Currents .................................................................................... 2 1.3 Fault Current Limiters in Power Systems ........................................................................ 4 1.4 Dissertation Structure ....................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 2: Overview of Fault Current Limiter Technologies ......................................................... 9 2.1 Superconductivity in Power Systems ............................................................................... 9 2.2 Superconducting Fault Current Limiters ........................................................................ 12 2.2.1 Resistive Superconducting Fault Current Limiter ...................................................... 12 2.2.2 Bridge Type Superconducting Fault Current Limiter................................................. 14 2.2.3 Shielded-Core Superconducting Fault Current Limiter .............................................. 15 2.2.4 Saturated Core Superconducting Fault Current Limiter ............................................. 16 2.2.5 Flux Lock Type Superconducting Fault Current Limiter ........................................... 17 2.3 Solid-State Protection Devices in Power Systems ......................................................... 18 2.4 Solid-State Fault Current Limiters ................................................................................. 21 2.4.1 Impedance Solid-State Fault Current Limiters ........................................................... 21 2.4.2 Bridge Type Solid-State Fault Current Limiters ........................................................ 23 2.4.3 Resonant Solid-State Fault Current Limiters.............................................................. 26 2.4.4 Programmable Fault Current Limiters ........................................................................ 29 2.5 Fault Current Limiter Development ............................................................................... 32 Chapter 3: Silicon Carbide Overview ........................................................................................... 34 3.1 Silicon Carbide Background .......................................................................................... 34 3.1.1 The Need for Silicon Carbide Power Devices ............................................................ 34 3.1.2 Silicon Carbide Structure ............................................................................................ 35 3.1.3 History of Silicon Carbide .......................................................................................... 37 3.1.4 Issues with Silicon Carbide ........................................................................................ 38 3.1.5 Characteristics of Silicon Carbide .............................................................................. 39 3.2 Silicon Carbide Devices and Applications ..................................................................... 43 3.2.1 Silicon Carbide Power Devices .................................................................................. 43 3.2.2 Silicon Carbide Applications ...................................................................................... 46 3.2.3 SiC in Power Electronics ............................................................................................ 48 3.3 The Use of Silicon Carbide in Solid-State Fault Current Limiters ................................... 50 Chapter 4: Silicon Carbide Solid-State Fault Current Limiter Design ......................................... 54 4.1 SiC SSFCL Switching Position