HTS Electric Power Applications
HTS Electric Power Transmission Cables:
• Enable transmission of three to five times more
power in the same space as conventional AC
cable. Because of the higher power density of
HTS wires, an HTS cable operating at 115 kV
can have the same power transfer capability as
a conventional cable operating at 345 kV. The
combination of high power capacity and compact
size make HTS cables superior where conventional
cables and/or overhead lines can’t easily be sited.
• Deliver significantly lower impedance than
conventional cables. Place HTS cables strategically
in the grid to draw flow from overtaxed
conventional cables or overhead lines — and
relieve network congestion. Very low impedance cables can help solve grid
congestion problems and enable new grid configurations to be implemented.
• Increase reliability and security of power grid. Because they can be designed to be
smart and controllable, HTS cables can make the power networks in which they are
installed self-protecting. Self-protecting secure power networks adjust rapidly and
automatically to disruptions in power network equipment caused by weather, willful
destruction or other factors.
• Deliver low environmental impact because they eliminate the oil used as dielectric
and coolant in some conventional power cables. Liquid nitrogen, the coolant/
dielectric of choice for HTS cables, is inexpensive, abundant and environmentally
safe. The compact design of HTS cables reduces disruptions caused by cable
installation and emits no Electromagnetic Field (EMF) emissions.
• Install at lower cost, due to their compact size and minimal installation
requirements.
• Operate at lower voltages, eliminating the need for more expensive high voltage
equipment. In many applications, they can also operate under existing permits.
Bottom line:
HTS cables Powered by AMSCTM enable transmission system owners to distribute
more energy more effectively, with minimal community impact — enabling quick
implementation without extensive permitting — and overall lower systems costs.
SuperVARTM Dynamic Synchronous Condensers:
• Stabilize grid voltage by generating or
absorbing reactive power to increase service
reliability and maximize transmission capacity.
• Reduce maintenance costs associated with
thermal fatigue of conventional synchronous
condensers.
• Maximize flexibility with modular,
transportable design and easy installation.
SuperVARTM Dynamic Synchronous Condenser for
an economic source of dynamic and steady state
VAR support.
HTS Fault Current Limiters:
• Eliminate the system wide need to install higher capacity circuit breakers with a
fast-acting, passive solution. Acting like surge protectors, HTS fault current limiters
will protect downstream electrical equipment from fault currents.
• Reduce damage to electrical equipment due to system faults. HTS fault current
limiters will limit the current spike and the mechanical forces caused by this spike,
allowing more time for the mechanical breaker to open without arcing.
• Reduce annual operating costs of utilities by eliminating the expense of replacing
blown out mechanical breakers.
HTS Transformers:
• Reduce size and weight by 50% compared to
conventional transformers due to the high
power density of HTS wire.
• Eliminate risk of environmentally hazardous
oil leaks and fires. HTS transformers use
environmentally friendly liquid nitrogen as
the dielectric fluid.
• Increase overload rating capability by 2X
without insulation damage or degradation.
HTS transformers provide a compact environmentally friendly alternative to conventional systems.
Bottom line:
HTS technology reduces the size and weight of electrical power equipment and
reduces the manufacturing and operating costs. HTS equipment Powered by AMSC
conserves energy resources by operating more efficiently and improves the quality of
electric power delivered to the customer.
Rotating Machines
Ship propulsion systems, power generators, and large industrial motors:
• Reduce size and weight in comparison to
traditional technology. Leveraging the high
power density and high electrical efficiency of
HTS wire, HTS rotating machines can be as
little as one-third the weight and one-half the
size of conventional machines. Their smaller
footprint frees valuable real estate, enabling
its use for revenue generation.
• Save cost. HTS marine propulsion systems
are sold at no increase in cost over the price of
traditional machines and are more efficient,
thus reducing total cost of ownership.
5-Megawatt Ship Propulsion Motor manufactured
by AMSC.
• Deliver high efficiency at all load conditions.
HTS motors and generators have no resistive
losses in the rotor resulting in greater electrical
efficiency than their conventional counterparts.
HTS machines have as little as half the electrical losses of a conventional machine at full
power. This efficiency advantage is even greater
at part load offering substantial benefits over
conventional machines.
• Reduced noise and vibration. HTS systems
have no iron teeth in the rotor or armature
thereby removing a major source of
structure-borne noise.
1.5MW HTS Generator Demonstrator Rotor
manufactured by General Electric.
(Photo courtesy of General Electric)
• Deliver enhanced reliability and MTBF.
Bottom line:
HTS rotating machines — including marine propulsion systems — deliver needed
power in a smaller, lighter, more dependable, longer-lasting, and much more efficient
packages. Superconductor systems Powered by AMSC enable ships to carry a bigger
payload (freight or people) — at reduced operating cost, boosting profits measurably
as a result.
HTS Magnets
In comparison to copper magnets:
• Create higher magnetic fields using less space than that
occupied by conventional water-cooled copper wire.
• Reduce weight significantly compared to traditional
equipment, increasing mobility and the productive use
of space.
• Lower operating costs through reduced power consumption
and eliminating the need for water cooling and conditioning.
In comparison to low temperature
superconductor magnets:
3 Tesla HTS magnet for
Vibrating Sample
Magnetometry. Manufactured
by HTS-110.
(Photo courtesy of HTS-110)
• Leverage a much less complex cryogenic system than that
required for low temperature superconductors (LTS),
allowing simple design and low cost manufacture.
• Deliver greater stability and thermal headroom for enhanced
reliability, flexibility, and uptime through increased tolerance
to thermal spikes and cryocooler degradation.
• Deliver lower operating cost through elimination of the need
for liquid cryogens and reduced cooling power compared with
LTS-based technology.
• Achieve higher magnetic field due to the enhanced
irreversibility field performance of HTS over LTS conductors.
• Proven reliability in production applications such as
Magnetic Separation, Minesweeping, Ion Sources, Beam
Switching Magnet, Vibrating Sample Magnetometry and
High Field Insert Coils.
1.8 Tesla HTS Magnet for ECR
Ion Source. Manufactured by
Space Cryomagnetics.
(Photo courtesy of Space Cryomagnetics Ltd.)
Bottom line:
AMSC's HTS wire represents a unique opportunity to reduce the weight and size of
conventional copper magnet systems, increase field capability, and significantly cut
operating costs. Offering greater thermal headroom and a lower risk of quenching
compared with LTS magnets, HTS wire facilitates complex geometry and high sweep
rate applications. The simplicity of the cryogenic system enables the use of a more
compact design, and reduces cost.
HTS Wire
AMSC is the world’s leading producer of HTS wire offering:
• High Performance — the critical current levels over long lengths are the highest in
the industry.
• Product Consistency — the AMSC factory manufactures wire 365 days per year and
offers the consistency that comes with regular production.
• Fast Delivery — with 1,400,000 meters of annual capacity, AMSC is able to meet
customer volume requirements and deliver on schedule.
200 meter long drawbench at AMSC's HTS wire
manufacturing plant.
Capstan drawing machines are used to reduce
wire diameter.
Through an optimization of the electrical and mechanical properties, AMSC has
developed a range of wire products to suit a broad range of HTS applications.
• High Current Wire — the highest critical current wire available in the world.
• High Strength Wire — the most robust conductor on the market.
• Compression Tolerant Wire — designed for balanced compressive and tensile
strain tolerance.
• Hermetic Wire — designed for extended time immersion in pressurized
liquid nitrogen.
• CryoBlockTM Wire — the basic building block for HTS current leads.
Table showing recommended HTS wire product for a range
of applications.
Figure shows the improvement in tensile stress
tolerance due to strengthening with stainless steel
laminate.
American Superconductor Corporation
64 Jackson Road
Devens, MA 01434
USA
tel +1 978 842 3362
fax +1 978 842 3364
www.amsuper.com
© 2004 American Superconductor. All rights reserved.
American Superconductor, SuperVAR, Powered by AMSC and Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity
are trademarks of American Superconductor Corporation. Printed in USA.
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