Special issue on superconducting generator in Japan
Superconducting generators have been expected as a key generator technology to realize large capacity more than 1 GVA. Recently, further advantages are pointed out compared to conventional generators like small internal impedance that is effective to keep system voltages in deregulated power system. These technical merits have pushed the development of superconducting generators in Japan, US, Germany, and other countries. Especially, Super-GM project, organized by NEDO and supported by MITI as a part of New Sunshine Project in Japan, is continuously developing superconducting generator technology with LTS field windings. They have already tested a 70 MW class model generator for more than 1500 h in the Osaka power station, and established key technologies for 200 MW class superconducting generators.
In the fiscal year 2001, Japanese government started a new project on LTS superconducting generator to reduce the cost of 200 MW class generators, and to develop key component technology for 600 MW class generators. Therefore, we planned this issue to show the research results of the Super-GM project up to the fiscal year 2000, as a special issue of the Journal of Cryogenic Association of Japan. We could succeed in asking all related authors to write review articles including introducing review on superconducting generator and cooling technologies. Thus, this issue will become a good review on superconducting generator development in Japan.