Superconducting generators for wind turbines

Project description

Superconducting generators have been extensively proposed for 10-20 MW wind turbines, since they can be smaller and lighter than conventional permanent magnet generators at the same power level. There are, however, a few challenges which hinder the feasible application of superconducting generators to wind turbines and they are 

• Cost
• Refrigeration
• Efficiency
• Stability of superconductors
• Torque transfer between cold and warm parts
• Short circuit torque
• Reliability

This research aims at increasing the feasibility of superconducting wind generators by addressing these challenges.