Electromagnetic, thermal and electro-mechanical analysis of superconducting coils and coil stacks using the finite element method

Renewable energy sources, particularly wind energy, requires more efficient and compact alternative technologies in terms of sustainability and reliability. High-temperature superconductors are emerging as a good alternative for power generation and distribution technology because of their high current-carrying capability as compared with copper at very small volumes with no or negligible losses. However, employment of superconductivity-based technology in power technologies is restricted, as compared with copper it is both more expensive and requires installation of additional devices for cooling. A way to reduce costs relies on design and optimization of devices in power technology with precise engineering calculations during prototyping. For this purpose, simulation methods based on the finite element method utilized in the design of superconducting devices have been developed, among whom the H-formulation based approach is the most widely adopted. However, this method works very slowly and allows good results only for superconducting materials. The development of an alternative to H-formulation is the common purpose of researchers working in this area. The main goal of this thesis is to develop an alternative method to currently used techniques for electromagnetic, thermal and electro-mechanical analyses of superconducting coils and coil stacks, which are the main components of superconducting generators. For the goal a new simulation technique that can be used for the design and optimization of superconducting the coil and coil stacks based on AV-formulation has been developed. It has been demonstrated that the developed method is sufficiently sensitive to yield results matching experimental data. It is considerably faster than the H-formulation-based approach and therefore can be used in both superconductor coil design and optimization.