Superconductor wiring

American Superconductor has built and demonstrated its first 3,680kW (5,000hp) high temperature superconductor (HTS) electric motor. The HTS motor is designed to reduce manufacturing costs by up to 40% and is as little as half the size and weight of a conventional electric motor, says American Superconductor. The HTS wiring in the AC motor?s rotor is designed to suffer lower electrical losses than conventional copper wire, thus enabling greater efficiency and lower fuel consumption. The company says net electrical losses from HTS wires are up to half the electrical losses of a conventional motor. “By delivering more power in a smaller package that operates with lower electrical losses at essentially the same price, we are creating entirely new value propositions for our customers, says Greg Yurek, ceo of American Superconductor. The company is currently developing HTS ship propulsion motors of up to 24,640kW under a contract from the US Navy?s Office of Naval Research. The contract includes the development of HTS motors for pods. It expects the Navy to conduct sea trials of an HTS motor by the end of 2003. “We plan to field additional prototype motors and generators over the next two years and we are on track for commercial sales in 2004,” says Yurek.