Superconducting Turbogenerators as a New Generation of High-Rated Electrical Machines

Abstract

Development of turbogenerators is associated with improvement of their cooling system, efficiency, size and weight parameters and operating characteristics. Application of cryogenic cooling and superconducting windings helps to achieve the best results, but there arises the problem of economical efficiency. Superconducting turbogenerator represents, on one hand, just a new type of turbogenerators, incorporating a number of serial units and technologies, and on the other it demands an introduction of new technological processes aimed at achievement of better parameters and higher reliability. Superconducting turbogenerators may be subdivided into two groups: alternators with slow-response excitation for the combined-cycle power plants with the unit rating of 200–250 MW; and, generators with unit ratings starting from 500–600 MW and with high response excitation intended mainly for the nuclear power plants. There exists a possibility to make the first ones relatively cheap while the second will be substantially more expensive. VNIIElectromash is now developing a design of a slow-response generator with the unit rating of 220 MW. Availability of a developed test facility for the generator investigation will help to decrease the investment in a prototype machine.