Benefit/cost comparison for utility SMES applications
Abstract
This paper summarizes eight case studies that account for the benefits and costs of superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) in system-specific utility applications. Four of these scenarios are hypothetical SMES applications in the Pacific Northwest, where relatively low energy costs impose a stringent test on the viability of the concept. The other four scenarios address SMES applications on high-voltage, direct-current (HVDC) transmission lines. While estimated SMES benefits are based on a previously reported methodology, this paper presents results of an improved cost-estimating approach that includes an assumed reduction in the cost of the power conditioning system (PCS) from approximately $160/kW to $80/kW. The revised approach results in all the SMES scenarios showing higher benefit/cost ratios than those reported earlier. However, in all but two cases, the value of any single benefit is still less than the unit's levelized cost. This suggests, as a general principle, that the total value of multiple benefits should always be considered if SMES is to appear cost effective in many utility applications. These results should offer utilities further encouragement to conduct more detailed analyses of SMES benefits in scenarios that apply to individual systems.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the 26th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering (IECE) Conference
- Pub Date:
- August 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991iece.conf....3D
- Keywords:
-
- Cost Analysis;
- Cost Estimates;
- Electric Power Plants;
- Electric Power Transmission;
- Magnetic Energy Storage;
- Transmission Lines;
- Utilities;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering