Superconductor ‘SeaTitan’ Wind Turbines Represent Quantum Leap in Offshore Wind Power Market
Among the greatest challenges to developing larger wind turbines have been the practical size and weight limitations of the wind turbine generator. The power density advantage of superconductors, however, is now being applied to wind turbine generators to maximise the ‘power per tower’ of multi-megawatt turbines, while at the same time overcoming size and weight barriers – and reducing overall project costs. Utilising superconductor direct drive generators, SeaTitan wind turbines are being designed to produce 10MW or more of power, which would make them the world’s largest and most powerful wind turbines.
By Martin Fischer, Vice President of American Superconductor, General Manager of AMSC Windtec
Among the greatest challenges to developing larger wind turbines have been the practical size and weight limitations of the wind turbine generator. The power density advantage of superconductors, however, is now being applied to wind turbine generators to maximise the ‘power per tower’ of multi-megawatt turbines, while at the same time overcoming size and weight barriers – and reducing overall project costs. Utilising superconductor direct drive generators, SeaTitan wind turbines are being designed to produce 10MW or more of power, which would make them the world’s largest and most powerful wind turbines.
By Martin Fischer, Vice President of American Superconductor, General Manager of AMSC Windtec