Energy and superconductors – applications of high-temperature-superconductors

Abstract

Abstract. More than 20 years after the discovery of hightemperature-superconductors (HTS) first applications in the energy sector are now becoming commercially attractive. Whereas still high end applications of low-temperaturesuperconductors (LTS) like NMR or MRI systems are the major drivers for industrial production, HTS based systems promise broader use in energy technology over the next few years. Due to their superior performance HTS materials enable more compact and lighter electric devices as well as an unbeatable improvement in energy efficiency. Moreover new devices like fault current limiters (FCL) are under development and field tests exhibit so far unknown properties for future electric grid design. Prototypes and first commercial systems like cables, generators, motors, FCL were successfully commissioned in the last few years. Based on these test results HTS systems will contribute significantly to the future key challenges in energy technology by reducing CO 2 -emmission due to their outstanding efficiency and to the security of energy supply.

Dependencies of microstructure and stress on the thickness of GdBa2Cu3O7 − δ thin films fabricated by RF sputtering

“…Second-generation high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coated conductors based on ReBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 − δ (REBCO, RE = Y, Gd, Sm, etc., rare earths) films are coming into practical applications for motors, fault current limiters, generators, and transformers [1,2]. High critical current ( I c ) is needed for many HTS applications.…”

High Critical Current Density and Enhanced Pinning in Superconducting Films of YBa2Cu3O7−δ Nanocomposites with Embedded BaZrO3, BaHfO3, BaTiO3, and SrZrO3 Nanocrystals

“…Nanocomposite, Nanoparticles, superconducting, YBCO, thin film, vortex pinning, chemical solution deposition, perovskite Introduction YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) coated conductors have an extraordinary electrical performance and power density ideal for more efficient and compact cables, power transformers, motors and generators. [1][2] However, factors such as the high cost, the low availability, and the reduction of critical current density (Jc) in the presence of moderate to high magnetic fields have prevented the expansion of coated conductors in the power market. [1][2][3] Chemical solution deposition (CSD) has the potential to fulfill the demand of high-quality epitaxial YBCO films with excellent performance and high throughput, while the addition of preformed nanocrystals can reduce the Jc decay with magnetic field.…”

“…[1][2] However, factors such as the high cost, the low availability, and the reduction of critical current density (Jc) in the presence of moderate to high magnetic fields have prevented the expansion of coated conductors in the power market. [1][2][3] Chemical solution deposition (CSD) has the potential to fulfill the demand of high-quality epitaxial YBCO films with excellent performance and high throughput, while the addition of preformed nanocrystals can reduce the Jc decay with magnetic field. [4][5][6][7] CSD offers the potential to fabricate coated conductors with high deposition rates at moderate precursor and investment cost.…”

“…However, when coated conductors operate in high magnetic fields, their performance is strongly reduced due to vortex motion. [1][2][3] The incorporation of artificial pinning centres in the form of nanoscale secondary phases has been proven to enhance vortex pinning increasing the in-field Jc as well as the Jc isotropy with respect to the direction of the magnetic field. [7][8][9][10] In this respect, two approaches are possible: the in situ and the ex situ formation of artificial pinning centres.…”

Conduction-cooled ReBCO coils for the wind converter: from laboratory to field test

“…Several prototypes have been built, which show that unavoidable electromagnetic vibrations that occur in operation should not be an obstacle. HTS coils have also been used, commercially, in an induction heater [29,38]. By rotating a metal billet in a stationary field produced by the HTS coils, eddy currents are induced in the billet that cause it to heat up.…”