Numerical Modeling Approach for Superconducting Saturated Core Reactors

Saturated core reactors are variable inductors whose reactance is controlled by a DC current passing through a control winding. By adjusting this current, the magnetic permeability of the core is modulated, thereby varying the inductance. These devices have been used primarily in low-power electronic applications, but their implementation in high-power systems has been limited due to efficiency constraints, technological challenges, and the widespread adoption of semiconductor-based power electronics, which offer more compact and flexible alternatives. The use of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials enables their practical application in power grids by significantly reducing Joule losses in the control winding, making superconducting saturated core reactors (SSCRs) a promising solution for flexible power flow control in transmission networks. By modulating line reactance, improving power flow management, helping to mitigate congestion and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources. This work presents an analytical model describing the flux current characteristics of an SSCR, enabling its simulation under both static and dynamic conditions. The proposed four-parameter model is derived from finite element method (FEM) simulations of a laboratory-scale prototype under varying levels of direct current excitation. The validated model is then used to develop a MATLAB/Simulink framework, enabling dynamic simulations, to evaluate the behavior of the reactor under different grid operating conditions. A three-phase laboratory prototype is constructed to validate the proposed modeling approach, demonstrating the feasibility of SSCRs for enhancing power grid stability.