The world’s first superconducting light weight wind turbine generator was presented by the EU-funded EcoSwing project, able to operate on a large scale commercial wind turbine.
For the time being, the project partners discuss with wind turbine manufacturers the possibility of a follow up project and commercial product development.
They also are discussing the application of the technology for ship propulsion using much smaller and lighter motors and generators.
The team behind the project states that the benefit is the superconductors, which are able to produce electricity without resistance. Also, on the contrary to copper, they are able to carry 100 times the current density, making electrical machinery compact and lightweight.
Moreover, the EcoSwing generator reached the +3MW target range and achieved more than 350 hours of grid operation producing power.
The team commented that the project presents the compact and simple use of superconductors, while highlighted that the associated cryocooling technology is stable and robust.
Taking part at the consortium were:
- Envision Energy (Denmark) Aps coordinated the project and provided the test site.
- ECO 5 GmbH as an established engineering house in superconductivity provided the core design.
- Jeumont Electric SAS utilized its experience in all types of rotating machines to manufacture the stator.
- Delta Energy Systems GmbH took care of a high quality power converter and provision of communication and protection electronics.
- THEVA Dünnschichttechnik GmbH as one of the world leading players in superconductivity delivered superconductive wire and processed into coils.
- Sumitomo Cryogenics of Europe, Ltd supplied the cryogenic equipment.
- DNV GL Renewables Certification resolved pre-certification issues.
- Universiteit Twente assembled the superconductive rotor.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES) ran a ground-based test prior to installation on an Envision wind turbine.
