Rainer Hartig

High-Temperature Superconducting Rotating Machines for Ship Applications

Main applications for rotating electric synchronous machines are given as generators and motors; a small niche can also be found in synchronous condenser-applications. High temperature superconducting (HTS) rotating machines show several significant advantages over machines built in conventional techniques. These are mainly increased efficiency, higher power density, and enhanced electrical stability. Especially for on-board applications, these properties may be decisive to save fuel and space and improve the capabilities. In the past, basic programs were carried out to demonstrate in principle the possibility to build such machines. Meanwhile these programs have shown great success and the feasibility of HTS machines for such applications has come into reach. For that reason developments for HTS machines in the megawatt-range are now being in progress, for propulsion purposes as well as for power generation applications. Started with the built of a 400 kW model motor that has operated successfully for more than two years, Siemens is now being engaged in the development of HTS machines for all electric ship application in the megawatt-range. A demonstrator for a 3600 rpm 4 MVA generator has been set up in the Nuremberg test facility for extended type and system testing. Results of tests with both machines will be presented. Technical implications of this new technology for ship-borne application will be discussed together with general economic assessments

Advances in and prospects for development of high-temperature superconductor rotating machines at Siemens

We report on the successful manufacture and testing of the Siemens 400 kVA HTS synchronous motor, which has been in operation for over 3 years, and on the progress of the 4 MVA synchronous motor/generator, which has been manufactured and is now in a phase of extended testing. Furthermore, the benefits of HTS machines will be discussed with emphasis on applications in ships. The development of future marketable products will be strongly dependent on the progress of secondary technologies, such as wire performance and efficient cost-effective refrigerators.

Numerical calculations for high-temperature superconducting electrical machines

To achieve a reliable design of a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) electrical machine, a multi-level approach including analytical and numerical techniques is state of the art. In this paper some light is shed on computational electromagnetics simulations performed at Siemens AG during the design procedure of a HTS synchronous machine.