“Superconductors” could slash wind turbine costs

New improved versions could be on the way

Researchers at the University of Wollongong have developed new “super conductor turbines” which could significantly improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of wind farms within five years.

The new turbines were developed at the University by a team at the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials.

They weigh 40 percent less than current turbines through the removal of the gearbox installed in current models.

The new technology uses super conductors, a material that conducts electricity from atom to atom with no resistance, delivering the added benefit that no sound or heat is released when it reaches “critical temperature,” the temperature at which it becomes superconductive.

Current costs for wind turbine are around $15 million per unit, but the new super conductors would bring this down to around $3-5 million.

“In our design there is no gear box, which right away reduces the size and weight by 40 percent,” said lead researcher Shahriar Hossain.

“We are developing a magnesium diboride superconducting coil to replace the gear box. This capture the wind energy and convert it into electricity without any power low, and will reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs by two thirds.”