High-Temperature Superconducting Synchronous Motors: Economic Issues for Industrial Applications

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials offer the capability to reduce losses in large industrial motors (greater than 1000 hp in rating) by 50%. This loss reduction can be accompanied by an overall motor-size reduction. In this paper, the application of high-temperature superconductors in high-horsepower electric motors is described, and the potential benefits of these motors are discussed. The economic viability of HTS-based electric motors for industrial applications depends upon the cost of the superconducting wire. A discussion of wire component costs for readily available first-generation HTS wire as well as the future lower cost second-generation HTS wire is presented, showing that economically viable HTS-based motors will require second-generation wire. A review of the state of the art in industrial-motor laboratory-prototype demonstrations of HTS-based motors is presented, showing the rapid advancement of this technology. The application advantages of HTS motors in pump and fan systems are also discussed.