HTS Utility Generators

Bringing power to the grid more efficiently, less expensively


When applied to the design of high-power utility generators, high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire can offer significant advantages:

Greater efficiency
At full load, conventional 100 MVA generators run at approximately 98.5% efficiency. HTS generators can improve net efficiency by 0.3% to 0.5%, including refrigeration. Higher efficiency brings two benefits:

  1. Generation plant operators can have greater flexibility to adjust output without shutting down generators or losing overall plant efficiency.
  2. Utilities can project annual savings exceeding $100,000 per large generator.

Longer life
HTS rotors operate at constant temperature, eliminating the thermal cycling that is a chief cause of wire insulation shear stresses and coil breakdown in conventional copper rotors.

Reduced size and weight
HTS wires in generator field windings carry current at very high density, generating high magnetic fields in the stator. Consequently, HTS generator designs can be one-half to two-thirds smaller than conventional generators.

Lower up-front costs

  • The simplicity of the HTS rotor design and the reduced size and weight of the overall machine can result in lower system costs. In addition, these more compact systems are less expensive to ship and install than conventional generators.

Improved reactive power compensation

  • HTS generators operate at a much lower power factor than conventional generators. This allows them to supply leading or lagging VARs up to their rated load.
  • The very low synchronous reactance (~0.35 pu) of HTS generators easily enables required voltage regulation without a need for fast exciters.
  • Their transient and sub-transient reactances are similar to conventional machines, which permit use of existing monitoring and protection equipment—and further reduce up-front costs.


 

 

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AMSC offers an array of proprietary technologies and solutions spanning the electric power infrastructure – from generation to delivery to end use. The company is a leader in alternative energy, providing proven, megawatt-scale wind turbine designs and electrical control systems.

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