Advanced Fault Current Limiters (FCLs): Definition , Design, and Future Trends

Definition, Design, and Future Trends
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-394-35915-8
Verlag: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Buch, Englisch, 432 Seiten

Presents a thorough overview of fault current limiter technology for modern and future power grid protection systems

One of the most critical issues in the evolution of power systems toward renewable energy integration is the management of fault currents. Fault Current Limiters (FCLs) offer a promising solution, yet their complex design principles and wide-ranging applications demand a consolidated resource for both academic researchers and industry engineers.

Advanced Fault Current Limiters: Definition, Design, and Future Trends delivers a comprehensive examination of FCL technologies and their role in safeguarding next-generation power grids. Providing a structured exploration of FCL fundamentals, design classifications, and advanced applications, this book introduces readers to the main categories of FCLs, their underlying mechanisms, and the analytical and simulation tools used to model and test them. Going beyond theory, the authors emphasize applications, such as industrial deployments and practical design considerations, while also examining the challenges, limitations, ongoing innovations, and direction of the field.

Combining in-depth technical knowledge with applied perspectives, the book: - Provides a clear taxonomy of FCL technologies, organized by components, operating principles, and system integration
- Demonstrates simulation-based analysis using MATLAB/Simulink, EMTP, and FEM for accurate design and testing
- Examines industrial case studies that illustrate practical FCL implementation and operational benefits
- Highlights emerging materials, designs, and technologies shaping the next generation of FCLs

Bridging the gap between academic research and industrial implementation, Advanced Fault Current Limiters: Definition, Design, and Future Trends is essential reading for advanced researchers, engineers, and graduate students specializing in electrical engineering and power system protection. It also serves as a timely and practical reference for professionals working in grid design, protection, and reliability.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Heidary, Amir

Niasar, Mohamad Ghaffarian

Popov, Marjan

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Energieverteilung, Stromnetze
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Energietechnik & Elektrotechnik
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Elektrotechnik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

About the Authors xix
List of Contributors xxi
Foreword 1 xxiii
Foreword 2 xxiv]
Preface xxv
Acknowledgments xxvii
List of Abbreviations xxix
About the Companion Website xxxiii

1 Introduction to Faults in Power Systems 1
Amir Heidary, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

1.1 Fault in the Power System 1
1.2 Reasons for Power System Fault Occurrence 2
1.3 Fault Types in the Power System 3
1.4 Fault-Current Effects in the Traditional Power Systems 7
1.5 Fault-Current Effects in the Future Modern Power Systems 10
1.6 Fault-Current Challenges for Electrical Energy Consumers 15
1.7 Discussion and Summary of the Chapter 18

2 State of the Art in Fault Current Limiters 23
Amir Heidary, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

2.1 The Operational Principle of the Fault Current Limiter (FCL) 23
2.2 FCL Effects on the Normal Condition of the Power System 25
2.3 FCL Effects on the Fault Condition of the Power System 26
2.4 Analytical Study of FCLs on the Power System 28
2.5 IEEE Standards Covering the FCLs and Series Protection Components 33
2.6 Cigre Report Covering FCL Issues 41
2.7 Discussion and Summary of the Chapter 42

3 Fault Current Limiters and Their Classification 45
Amir Heidary, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

3.1 Classifications of FCLs 45
3.2 FCLs with an Air-Core Reactor (AR-FCL) 49
3.3 Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (S-FCL) 51
3.4 Core-Integrated Reactor Fault Current Limiters (CR-FCL) 57
3.5 DC Reactor Fault Current Limiters (DCR-FCLs) 62
3.6 Resonance Fault Current Limiters (R-FCL) 67
3.7 Saturated Core Fault Current Limiters (SC-FCL) 71
3.8 Permanent Magnet Fault Current Limiters (PM-FCL) 77
3.9 Hybrid Fault Current Limiters 80
3.10 Discussion and Summary of the Chapter 95

4 EMT and FEM Simulation of Common Fault Current Limiters 99
Behzad Behdani, Amir Heidary, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

4.1 Introduction of the Simulated Power System and FCL 99
4.2 Base Test System 100
4.3 Simulation of the Air-Core Fault Current Limiter 103
4.4 Simulation of the Resistive Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (RS-FCL) 106
4.5 Simulation of the Core-integrated Reactor Fault Current Limiter 110
4.6 Simulation of the DC Reactor Fault Current Limiter 114
4.7 Simulation of the Resonance Fault Current Limiter 117
4.8 Simulation of the Saturated Core Fault Current Limiter 122
4.9 Simulation of the Permanent Magnet Fault Current Limiter 125
4.10 Simulation of the Solid-State Air-Core Reactor Fault Current Limiter 128
4.11 Simulation of the Superconducting Core-Integrated Fault Current Limiter 132
4.12 Simulation of the AC/DC Reactor Fault Current Limiter 135
4.13 Simulation of SC-FCL in the FEM Simulator 137
4.14 Discussion and Comparison of the Studied FCLs 142

5 Applications of Fault Current Limiters 147
Amir Heidary, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

5.1 FCLs for Renewable Generator Protection 147
5.2 FCL for Transformer Protection 157
5.3 FCLs for Voltage Protection at the Point of Common Coupling 160
5.5 FCL for HVDC System Protection 166
5.6 FCL Roles for Smart Grids 172
5.7 FCLs for Microgrid Protection 177
5.8 FCL for Protection of EVs, EVCSs, and BESS 180
5.9 FCL for Solid-State Breaker Enhancement 188
5.10 Discussion and Summary of the Chapter 191

6 Transient Fault Limiters: Definition and Applications 199
Amir Heidary, Farzad Nasirpour, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

6.1 Transient Phenomena and Series Transient Suppressor Definition 199
6.2 Series TFL Effects and Features 203
6.3 Types of TFLs 218

7 Overview of Industrially Applied Fault Current Limiters 267
Amir Heidary, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

7.1 Introduction of FCL-Related Companies and Projects 267
7.2 Industrially Produced Air-Core Series Reactor Fault Current Limiters 269
7.3 Industrially Implemented Superconducting Resistive Fault Current Limiters 273
7.4 Industrially Implemented Inductive Fault Current Limiters 277
7.5 Discussion and Summary of the Chapter 282

8 Challenges in Using FCLs 287
Amir Heidary, Mehdi Kabiri, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

8.1 FCLs' Structure Complexity and Reliability 287
8.2 FCLs' Active and Reactive Power Consumption 297
8.3 FCL Effects on Power System Stability 300
8.4 Saturation Consideration for Inductive FCL 308
8.5 Economic Constraints and Cost–Benefit for Designing FCL 311
8.6 Challenges in Sizing FCLs 314
8.7 Discussion and Summary of the FCLs' Challenges 316

9 Future Trends and Practical Applications of FCLs 321
Amir Heidary, Amirreza Silani, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

9.1 Optimal Placement of FCLs Using AI Algorithms 321
9.2 Optimal Design of FCLs Using AI Algorithms 339
9.3 An Approach toward Smart FCL 365
9.4 Cybersecurity Considerations for FCLs 367
9.5 Effects of Policy Trends on FCL 371
9.6 An Overview of Modern Technology Improvement for the Future FCLs 373
9.7 Discussion and Summary of the Effects of Modern Technology on FCLs 380
9.8 Summary 382
References 382

10 Fault Current Limiter: Conclusion, Discussion, and Future Perspectives 387
Amir Heidary, Marjan Popov, and Mohamad Ghaffarian Niasar

10.1 A Comprehensive Comparison of the Available Technology of FCLs 387
10.2 Future Suggested Steps for Researchers 389
10.3 Suggested FCL for the Protection of the Power System 389
10.4 Conclusions of Designing the Future Trend of FCLs 390
10.5 General Summary 393

Index 395

Über Autor(innen)

AMIR HEIDARY, PhD, is a researcher at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). His expertise spans adaptive protection of modern power systems, fault current limiters, power electronics, magnetic-based applications, smart grids, and transient phenomena. He serves as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

MARJAN POPOV, PhD, is a Professor of Power System Protection at Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. His research interests include large-scale AC and DC intelligent Power System Protection, circuit breakers, technical performance of AC and DC cables, power system transients, and wide-area monitoring and protection. He has contributed to multiple CIGRE working groups and has served as Associate Editor of the International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems and Co-Editor-in-Chief and Senior Editor of e-Prime Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy.

MOHAMAD GHAFFARIAN NIASAR, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the High Voltage Technology Group at Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. His research interests include insulation systems of MV/HV power electronics-based equipment, insulation aging, medium-frequency power transformers, power cables, and FEM.