Superconducting turbines and other HTS rotating machines are expected to generate the largest future demand for 2G HTS wire.
Coils utilizing HTS wire will enable electric motors and generators to operate at much higher power densities. When compared to a copper wire based electric machine with equivalent output power, future superconducting motors and generators will enable a significant size reductions for the motors with higher efficiency.
One potential sweet-spot for high-powered HTS generators is expected to be 10+ megawatt offshore wind turbines. Offshore superconducting wind turbines promise to capture clean energy at a lower cost than competing renewables, while delivering power directly to growing coastal cities.
Superconducting Wind Turbine Generators:
Superconducting wind turbines are expected to play
a unique role
offshore since conventional technology
cannot achieve
the “power per tower” requirement
sense.
Although initial
costs for large offshore turbines are higher
due to the
foundations and mechanical
structures, these
costs can be
recouped by higher energy
yields.
The increase in power density provided by
superconducting turbines significantly reduces generator
weight and maximizes power per tower, turning wind
power
into an economically viable alternative.
Offshore superconducting wind turbines are a long-term initiative for HTS technologies. Wind energy is taking shape as a
critical world resource for electric power. Today, wind energy is primarily land based.
The expected future trend is to exploit a largely untapped supply of offshore wind energy.
However, it will take time to build enough infrastructure for offshore wind power to significantly
contribute to the power grid.
Tthe US Department of Energy (DOE) has adopted a plan for clean energy generation calling for 20% Wind by 2030. By comparison, Europe and China are aggressively pursuing paths for 20% Wind by 2020.
The global offshore wind turbine market annual opportunity exceeds US $30 Billion by 2020.
“Global wind turbine investment is positioned to grow eight-fold between 2009 and
2020, rising from around US$3 billion to over US$32 billion.” (EER Offshore Report 2009).
We believe the HTS wind turbine opportunity provides the largest potential demand for 2G HTS wire
More than 300 kilometers (km) of 2G HTS wire are required per 10 MW wind turbine.
Rapid increase in annual demand for greater than 5 MW offshore wind turbines
is expected:
270 - 540 units/year in 2016 grows to 530-1060 units/year in 2020.
Estimated 81,000 kilometers of 2G HTS wire/year in 2016.
We believe that the Total Addressable Market (TAM) for 2G HTS Wire will
exceed $1 billion by 2016.
2G HTS wire technology is the key enabler for a >5 MW wind turbine. HTS coils will drastically reduce the size (2-3 x) of the wind turbine while generating the same power output. 2G HTS wire has a very high current density advantage over copper, reducing the size and weight of generators:
4 Amps/sq mm (Copper) vs. 400 Amps/sq mm (assuming 500A/cm width for 2G HTS Wire) = 100X improvement.
Size reduction translates directly to cost savings.
Greatly reduces the amount of magnetic steel and structural steel required.
Superior 2G HTS Wire power handling performance at a lower market cost will enable superconducting wire to compete and beat permanent magnet technology.
The longer the turbine blades the larger the swept area for more wind capture. A 10 MW wind turbine with a swept area three times larger in diameter than a comparably sized conventional wind turbine (i.e. 3.3MW) can capture 4.3 times the power. “A 10% increase in tower height creates a 33% increase in available energy.” (DOE 20% Wind by 2030 Report, 2009)
Figure 8. Trend towards Larger Wind Turbines (LEFT) vs. Larger Turbines Capture More Power (RIGHT)
