By Nick Gilbert
AMSC has obtained patent rights of a fundamental high temperature superconductor (HTS) in the U.S. This patent includes a wide range of power and wire related uses, second generation and other HTS materials.
Reductions in footprint and cost of motors, generators and power cables are obtained with the use of HTS materials. In comparison with first generation HTS wires, 2G wires are manufactured in an inexpensive manner because of its reduced need for metals during high production volumes.
Daniel P. McGahn, President and CEO of AMSC, stated that HTS materials have been used for many years to transform the production, transmission and distribution of electrical power. McGahn further stated that AMSC in collaboration with its worldwide partners has delivered the required production, order rates and industry-leading capacity which in turn strengthen AMSC’s ability to fulfill the 2G requirements in the U.S. markets.
Ultra-compact electric motors, wind turbine generators, smart power cables and fault current limiters are megawatt-scale systems that have been developed and deployed with the use of HTS wires.
Ultra-compact electric motors manufactured with HTS result in half the weight and size of traditional copper-based motors that in turn enables saving fuel, space and weight for military and commercial ships.
HTS has high power density that reduces the cost of offshore wind power and enables utilization of lightweight, high efficient and small wind generators in wind turbines with high power.
Smart power cables are utilized for distributing and transmitting alternating current and direct current. These cables reduce the cost of electric applications and fault current levels. Network reliability, efficiency and redundancy are improved by these cables.
Fault current limiters are smart grid systems that protect the grid by reducing faults, thus avoiding outages and saving replacement of equipment and repair costs.
Source: http://www.amsc.com/