Optimization Procedure to Design a Low-Losses MgB ₂ Wire

The EU-funded MARES project aims to develop a novel design of superconducting generator integrated into a wave energy converter (WEC). The superconducting generator consists of two parts, one assembled using REBCO tapes and the other using magnesium diboride (MgB₂) wires, with the latter offering a more cost-effective alternative. Assessing the optimal design of MgB₂ wires for this application is not straightforward, since AC losses represent a major technical issue of this device. In this work, a genetic algorithm is applied to determine the optimal design of the MgB₂ wires. The algorithm is coupled with a finite element method (FEM) electrodynamic model that computes the AC losses in the MgB₂ wires. The goal of the algorithm is to identify the key parameters of the wire configuration (filaments number and diameter, fill-factor, wire diameter, twist pitch) minimizing the AC losses in the device operating conditions.