Super Conducting Motor

Superconducting Wind Turbine - UT Researchers Team with Colleagues in China

The Center for Electromechanics at The University of Texas at Austin has recently begun a research project with the Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion in Wuhan, China to assist in the design of a multi-megawatt superconducting wind power generator. The goal of this project is to provide a more efficient and cost effective generator design that enables wind power generation to make more of an impact in the ever-growing global demand for electrical power.  The UT researchers at CEM, utilizing several decades of prototype rotating electrical machinery design and development, will be working closely with their colleagues in China on the electromagnetic design of the generator as well as thermal and structural design specifics to help insure a long and reliable operational life.

The development of this generator will provide the technical foundation for subsequent larger scale and more powerful superconducting wind power generators.  This collaborative research teaming with the engineers in Wuhan will also provide the first steps in what is hoped to be a long and productive research relationship between the two groups.