Development Status of a 1,000 HP Superconducting Motor

Following a successful demonstration of a 200 hp synchronous motor with a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) field winding, the effort continues on the development of a 1,000 hp HTS motor. Under a contract with the Department of Energy, a vertically integrated team was formed for the development of large-scale industrial motors. The 1,000 hp HTS motor has been strategically designed for operation from an adjustable-speed drive (ASD) using the same topology as the previously demonstrated 200 hp HTS motor (air-core AC synchronous motor with HTS field winding). It possesses all the essential features that can be scaled up to a pre-commercial prototype rated at 5,000 hp. Successful demonstration of this motor will bring the HTS motor technology to a critical point where HTS motors will be comparable in size and efficiency to conventional high efficiency motors. Completion of the 1,000 hp HTS motor will be followed by the development of a pre- commercial unit (5,000 hp) to demonstrate the full benefits of HTS motors by saving half the losses of conventional motors in a package with half the volume. This paper reviews the overall design characteristics of a 1,000 hp HTS motor and summarizes the development status of the motor system including its cryogenic refrigeration system.