Design and Comparative Analysis of MgB2 and YBCO Wire-Based-Superconducting Wind Power Generators

This paper presented a comparison study result on the design of direct-driven-type-superconducting wind power generators using MgB₂ and YBCO wires. Detailed features of MgB₂ and YBCO wires were investigated and 4-MW superconducting generators were designed using MgB₂ and YBCO wires. The magnetic field distributions of the generators were analysed using a 3-D finite-element method program. The total length of the wires, the volume, and weight of the designed generators were compared. As a result, the weight and volume of the generator using the YBCO wire were lighter and smaller than the generator using the MgB₂ wire. The required length of the MgB₂ was shorter than the YBCO wire which is much more expensive than MgB₂ wire. It is therefore necessary to select the appropriate superconducting wires considering cost, weight, and volume issues when designing superconducting generators.