AMSC, a global solutions provider serving wind and grid leaders, yesterday announced that it has been chosen as the high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire provider for Europe’s POSE2IDON – or Power Optimised Ship for Environment with Electric Innovation Designs Onboard – Project.
Funded by the European Union, POSE2IDON is a €20 million project aimed at providing a working guide on how to improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of Europe’s commercial shipping fleet through the use of HTS rotating machines and distribution networks. Large-scale motor and generator demonstrators utilizing AMSC’s HTS wire are expected to be manufactured and tested by the end of 2013.
“We see great promise for superconductors in the maritime industry,” said Chris Hodge, POSE²IDON Coordinator . “The technologies developed in this project will enhance cargo space availability and efficiency on electric ships while at the same time reducing carbon emissions. AMSC is a trailblazer in HTS rotating machinery and is the world’s leading producer of second generation superconductor wire. As such, they are a logical contributor to the POSE2IDON Project.”
Due to the tremendous power density advantages of HTS wire, cables can carry up to 10 times as much power as traditional copper-based conductors, and rotating machines can be reduced to less than half the size and weight of conventional machines. In years past, AMSC has successfully designed, built and tested a variety of HTS rotating machines, including a 36.5 megawatt (49,000 horsepower) HTS ship propulsion motor.
“AMSC continues to work with organizations, corporations and nations around the world to overcome long-standing energy challenges through superconductor-enabled solutions,” said Daniel. P. McGahn, President and CEO, AMSC . “In the maritime industry, superconductors can be applied to a range of systems, such as motors, generators, power cables and protection systems – freeing up precious cargo space, enhancing ship defense and reducing energy consumption, fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions. We applaud the European Union for recognizing the transformative impact that HTS can have and, more importantly, demonstrating the power of these solutions under the POSE2IDON Project.”
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Source: AMSC, July 18, 2012