Recent advances in superconducting rotating machines: an introduction to the ‘Focus on Superconducting Rotating Machines’

Abstract

Superconductivity offers zero to near zero resistance to the flow of electrical current when cooled below a particular cryogenic temperature, and additionally, superconducting materials are able to carry much larger current densities than conventional materials, such as copper. In rotating machines, increasing the current and/or magnetic flux density increases the power density, which leads to reductions in both size and weight of the machine. The expected improved performance and efficiency, as well as smaller footprint, has seen continued interest in using superconducting materials in rotating machine designs. In this preface, we introduce some of the recent advances in superconducting rotating machines and their related technologies that form this special issue.

Overview and Assessment of Superconducting Technologies for Power Grid Applications

“…Another frontier of superconducting technology for the power grid is in superconducting generators that bring improved performance, efficiency and a particularly smaller footprint with most superconducting machines currently incorporating a hybrid design of a superconducting rotor and conventional stator [38]. Wind turbines is the main application for such a technology with the strive for lighter, more compact generators.…”

Fully superconducting machine for electric aircraft propulsion: study of AC loss for HTS stator

“…The power density of current electrical machines is not high enough for advanced propulsion applications in all electric aircraft [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Compared to conventional machines with copper windings, superconducting machines can significantly reduce machine volume and weight, thereby significantly increasing power density.…”

Experimental Electromagnetic Characterization of High Temperature Superconductors Coils Located in Proximity to Electromagnetically Active Materials

“…Research in this field has been in constant evolution both on theoretical aspects, for the understanding of physical phenomena, and on their applications, in particular, the integration of high temperature superconductors (HTS) in electrical power systems. Indeed, HTS are particularly good candidates for the development of more compact and more efficient electrical machines, in particular for renewable energies and aerospace applications [2][3][4]. However, the integration of HTS in electrical power systems remains very limited, especially in electrical machines, where they are used only as inductors or for the magnetic field screening in synchronous machines [5,6].…”