North American Windpower: AMSC Introduces Surge-Suppressing, High-Capacity Power Grid Technology

AMSC Introduces Surge-Suppressing, High-Capacity Power Grid Technology

in News Departments > Products & Technologies

by NAW Staff Monday May 21 2007

Westborough, Mass.-headquartered American Superconductor Corp. (AMSC), an energy technologies company, has introduced a new surge-suppressing, high-capacity superconductor power grid technology - a system-level solution that increases the capacity of power grids while also being able to rapidly suppress power surges. AMSC says that this technology will enhance the capacity, security and efficiency of electric power infrastructures in urban and metropolitan areas.

AMSC's high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wire, which conducts large amounts of electricity with high efficiency, is a core component in Secure Super Grids. According to the company, Secure Super Grids use multiple paths for electricity flow in city power grids to ensure system reliability when individual circuits are disrupted due to severe weather, traffic accidents or willful destruction.

In addition, the grids' superconductors not only relieve grid congestion, but also instantly suppress power surges that often damage utility equipment and disrupt customer service.

"Secure Super Grids will provide cities and metropolitan areas around the globe with a powerful new tool to increase the security and efficiency of power networks and meet customer demand for more electricity in today's digital, green economy," says Greg Yurek, founder and chief executive officer of AMSC. "Our proprietary Secure Super Grids technology builds on more than a decade of HTS power cable test and demonstration successes."

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