Prospects for Superconductive Generators in the Electric Utility Industry

The potential application of superconducting materials to large scale use in the electric utility industry is receiving increased attention. With the demand for electric power doubling every 10 years, power generation equipment ratings have been growing rapidly. Advances in many areas of generator design technology, including (a) direct conductor cooling, (b) stator winding short circuit and 120 Hz vibration control, and (c) materials suitable for scaled-up, more highly stressed components, have allowed power densities to increase so that today 1200 MWor larger units can be built and shipped, matching the size of the larger steam supplies and steam turbines that have become available. At the same time, overall plant reliability and availability have become the most important equipment considerations and will probably govern the rate at which larger ratings or new developments will be adopted by the industry in the future.