The status of HTS motors

Abstract

The status of high temperature superconducting (HTS) motor development is presented. HTS synchronous machines have been under development for over 12 years around the world. The unique characteristics for selected applications such as ship propulsion are discussed. The beneficial characteristics of air core HTS motors for ship propulsion include high power density, high efficiency and low noise production. This paper also addresses recent developments including a 5,000 HP 1800 RPM 4 pole prototype and the ongoing construction of a 5 MW 230 RPM motor. The 1800 RPM motor is a prototype constructed to validate technologies for industrial motors and generators and the 230 RPM motor is being constructed to validate technologies for ship propulsion motors in the range of 25 MW and 120 RPM.