December 16, 2002—GE Power Systems and the GE Global Research Center recently kicked off a program to develop a new, high-efficiency, high-temperature superconducting (HTS) generator.
While retaining the stator design that is today’s industry standard, the new generator will introduce a new rotor design and HTS winding unprecedented in its simplicity. Recent progress in HTS wire manufacturing has helped pave the way for the development of an HTS generator with the potential for competitive cost, high reliability, rapid market introduction, and a high probability of acceptance by the power industry.
Concept designs indicate that new superconducting generators can achieve significant efficiency gains. This reduction in generator losses will increase overall power plant energy efficiency, creating the potential for annual energy savings while also leading to significant annual reductions of carbon dioxide emissions.
