The formula for energy in a magnetic field is pretty simple:D Tibbets wrote:That brings up the question: Are superconductors a good energy storage mechanism? They can be loaded with a lot of current. Certainly if they fail, they can make a big bang. Can reasonable magnets (such a 5 meter diameter and 10-20 Tesla superconducting magnets store more energy than comparable flywheels? Presumably, they could deliver their energy very quickly, like a capacitor.Helius wrote:A "Mouse over" says "SMES" which means.....
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.c ... gy+Storage
U = B^2*A*l/(2*μ0)
So, we need AREA and LENGTH to be defined; if we say 2m circle Torus, 5m dia, then Area is π and length is 10π.
U = 20^2*5*π^2/(4π*10^-7) ≈ 15.7 GJ = 4.36 MW-h
There are serious suggestions a loop of 100 miles might be good - at 10T!
I of course, would suggest multiple smaller systems - you'd hardly use up any area, even putting 5m coils every 10m, installing a bank of 256 of them. You'd be talking 160m x 160m for about a GW-h