FEATURE NEWS:
HTS specialists at AMSC
American Superconductor (AMSC) is a principal supplier of high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire, large rotating superconductor machinery, and a world-leading supplier of dynamic reactive power grid stabilization products. AMSC’s wire products are used in applications such as superconductor cable systems, rotating machinery, electromagnets, and fault current limiters.
One of the major advantages of using superconductor wire in cables is that the wire enables the cable to conduct three to five times more power than a cable based on copper for alternating current (AC) cables and up to 10 times for direct current (DC) cables.
Superconductor cables will also offer other advantages in addition to very high power capacity. Because they have a very small footprint, they are much easier to site even in dense, older urban areas. Also, because superconductor cables have significantly lower impedance than copper cables, they are controllable, allowing larger amounts of power to be pumped economically and reliably into congested areas and transferred precisely where it is needed to relieve congestion.
There are three principal designs for HTS AC power cables: 'warm dielectric', coaxial 'cold dielectric,' and triaxial 'cold dielectric'. All three of these architectures employ either a solid or a hollow core around which superconductor wires are stranded. This core is then inserted into a cryostat that provides thermal insulation and a channel for liquid nitrogen to flow, which refrigerates the cable and ensures that its superconductivity (resistance-less flow of electricity) is maintained.
Interest in superconductor cable systems is rapidly growing. Currently, there are superconductor cable projects under construction and in demonstration phase around the globe. With as many as 10 different cable manufacturers participating in these superconductor cable projects, it is clear that momentum is building for this technology. Those using AMSC superconductor wire include a transmission-level power cable being manufactured by Nexans for installation in the grid of Long Island Power Authority in the state of New York, USA. This cable system is expected to be energised in September 2006.
Four other distribution-level power cable projects that are using AMSC's wire include the LS Cable Company in the District of Gyeongbuk in South Korea, Condumex Cable Company in Queretaro, Mexico, the Changtong Power Cable Company’s demonstration of a three phase superconductor power cable in its factory in China, and Ultera’s superconductor power cable in a large substation in Columbus, Ohio.
Company: |
American Superconductor Corp |
Country: |
USA |
Fax: |
+1 508 836 4248 |
Email: |
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Website: |
www.amsuper.com |