In 2006 an 2007, the Department of Energy set up targets for superconducting wire like the following
Performance of HTS wires is expressed in amperes-meters (A-m), where the critical current of 1 cm-wide wire at 77K and self-field is multiplied by the wire length. The A-m value provides a basis for the comparison of different HTS wires, and is an actual indicator of progress in wire development. HTS wires with a current capacity of 1,000 amperes and piece-length of 1,000 meters, i.e., equivalent of 1,000,000 A-m,
will satisfy the requirement of most practical applications.
Demonstrate prototype 100,000 A-m critical current-length for second generation wire by FY12
Demonstrate prototype 500,000 A-m critical current-length for second generation wire by FY14
Demonstrate prototype 800,000 A-m critical current-length for second generation wire by FY15
Demonstrate prototype 1,000,000 A-m critical current-length for second generation wire by FY20
Development of HTS wires and electric power equipment, such as cables, fault current limiters, and transformers
The work seems to be a few years ahead of schedule and should have significant commercial impact in 2014-2018.
2010 Plans at SuperPower Inc
Manufacturing of long-length, high current wires at high throughput
• Bring new pilot MOCVD manufacturing system with nine-track helix
system into full operation and more than double manufacturing capacity
• Increase performance of routine production 2G wires by 50% to 300 A/cm
over lengths of several hundred meters
Improved pinning for enhanced high-field performance
• Develop new techniques for consistent nanocolumnar structures to fabricate thick HTS films MOCVD with high critical currents in high fields
– Achieve a 35% retention of self-field critical current at 77 K and 1 T, in films thicker than 2 μm
• Transition new approaches for nanocolumnar structures within the HTS film for improved consistency of in-field performance of production 2G wires
– Improve critical current of 500+m wires in a field of 0.52 T at 77 K to 150 A/cm from current level of 90 A/cm, with uniformity better than 5%
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