Be it any mode of power generation- thermal, hydro, wind , nuclear etc. At the end, they move a turbine. Most of the ower produced is by a synchronous generator attached to the rotating turbine.
Thus, much research has always been towards improving the efficiency of generator. But now a stage has been reached that due to physical limitations, current carrying capacity of conventional conductors, insulation limitation. Thus hopes have turned towards HTS(High temperature superconductors). Advantages:
· Increased generation capability to 1000GW.
· better grid stability.
· The efficiency will increase( beyond 99% thus reducing the energy losses by over 50%).
· Lower life cycle costs
· Lesser pollution per unit energy .[ A 1,000 MW superconducting generator could save as much as $4 million per year in reduced losses per generator]
· Reduction in size and weight.(1/3 the overall volume of its conventional equivalent)
· System impact: ( 1. lower armature reaction .
2. capability of being significantly overexcited to permit power factor
correction without adding synchronous reactors or capacitors to the
power system)
· Reduced expenses.
Siemens and KIT have made a 4MW superconducting motor model successfully and are aiming at much higher MW. They want to use the technology called high temperature superconductors (HTS) in power generation. These superconducting cables will be able to carry 3000 times more current densities and can improve the efficiency of present systems. Thus it will reduce the size of generators. It will also reduce environmental pollution….but above all, just imagine how great it will be to visit such kinda power station….Cooled to -240®C….ok, there are many difficulties in cooling ,thermal insulation, its reliability, but its good to hear and imagine…. Japan, USA and some other countries are doing research on it…..Lets see when this dream comes into reality……….Let there be no resistance in the path of its success. J
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