Superconductivity: Present and Future Applications

Slotless Ac Induction Motor

The present invention is a rotating induction motor that can provide higher peak torque than a conventional design, which achieves the shortcomings of the prior art by in regard to iron saturation by a slotless design; removing the iron slot provides more space for the conductor. The motor comprises a stator and a concentric rotor, separated from the stator by an air gap. The rotor has rotor bars and rotor windings. The stator is slot-less and comprises surface mounted conductors separated from each other by suitable insulation. An advantage of this design is that the motor does not exhibit typical behavior at high currents; there is no saturation effect

Magenn Air Rotor System (Mars)

The Magenn Air Rotor System (MARS) is the next generation of wind turbines with cost and performance advantages over existing systems. MARS is a lighter-than-air tethered wind turbine that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to the wind, generating electrical energy. This electrical energy is transferred down the tether for consumption, or to a set of batteries or the power grid. Helium sustains the Magenn Air Rotor System, which ascends to an altitude as selected by the operator for the best winds. Its rotation also generates the “Magnus” effect. This aerodynamic phenomenon provides additional lift, keeps the MARS device stabilized, positions MARS within a very controlled and restricted location, and finally, causes MARS to pull up overhead to maximize altitude rather than drift downwind on its tether. It’s become mandatory rather than option to go for the renewable source of energy today in the whole world. For the same requirements we need advance options for future, hence MARS proves its excellence to use for better future.

Amorphous Core Transformer

An amorphous (non-crystalline) form of steel which has very high electrical resistance and low coercivity compared to previously used transformer steels, properties which reduce electrical losses and allow a given transformer to operate at higher ratings.Image result

“The alloys of boron, silicon, phosphorus, and other glass formers with magnetic metals (iron, cobalt, nickel) have high magnetic susceptibility, with low coercivity and high electrical resistance. Usually the conductivity of a metallic glass is of the same low order of magnitude as of a molten metal just above the melting point. The high resistance leads to low losses by eddy currents when subjected to alternating magnetic fields, a property useful for e.g. transformer magnetic cores. Their low coercivity also contributes to low loss.”

Intelligent Transformer Substations for Future-Proof Power Distribution

Today‘s transformer substations, originally designed for a merely unidirectional energy flow and equipped with conventional transformers, are no longer capable of coping with the effects of volatile power sources. The consequences are more and more frequent supply breakdowns in the classical distribution grid, with ever increasing downtimes. In order to reduce such downtimes notably and to limit the associated blackout costs, quick adjustments to the changed load conditions must be possible.

• Benefits of intelligent transformer substations
• Monitoring and assurance of power quality
• Controlling of overload situations
• Minimization of loss of power grid revenue by notably reduced interruption times
• Optimisationof grid expansion
• Object monitoring of the transformer substation

Tomorrow’s digital power grids

How will a future electricity grid manage the demands of induction cooking, charging electric cars and roof-installed solar panels? The answer is Smart Grids, which involves digitisation of the electricity grid.

The aim of a new research center called CINELDI (Centre for Intelligent Electricity Distribution – to empower the future Smart Grid) is to develop systems as part of tomorrow’s adaptable, robust and intelligent energy system.

“Smart Grids provide output and energy efficiency, and make it easier to exploit renewable energy sources. They can also help towards removing the need to expand existing grid capacity – something which would be unavoidable if Smart Grids hadn’t entered the stage”, says SINTEF’s Gerd Kjølle, who will be heading the CINELDI center.

Major demands are placed on the electricity grid when we cook our meals on induction hobs and charge up our electric cars at the same time. But Smart Grids enable us, for example, to give the grid operator permission to disconnect consumption linked to water heating, thus avoiding the need to expand grid capacity.

http://www.sintef.no/en/projects/cineldi/

Smart Transformer for Smart Grid

Smart transformers are transformers which integrates a general transformer’s features with monitoring software and communication technology among others. Power transformers are one of the most important and complex component of the electricity generation and transmission process. An owner of a power transformer has to face certain challenges such as high maintenance cost for extending the life of a transformer among others.  Failure of a power transformer can lead to dire consequences such as revenue loss, life loss and legal consequences among others.Such challenges have led to the advent of smart transformers. These new-age transformers are designed to allow the maintenance of the power load independently. They can regulate the voltage constantly, while maintaining contact with the smart grid infrastructure, and deliver the optimal amount of power as and when required. They are programmed to allow remote monitoring and can act on any power fluctuations instantly. Provision for remote monitoring of critical components of the transformer, through in-built sensors, increases the reliability of continuous power distribution and reduces chances of transformer failure. Faults can be recognized remotely on a real-time basis and actions can be taken faster. The smart transformers are also more environment-friendly as they reduce energy consumption and thus reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses. They are also equipped to protect electrical equipment by safeguarding them from voltage fluctuations leading to increasing the longevity of that equipment.

Bendable Lithium-ion Battery

A new bendable lithium-ion battery that can flex and twist could power wearable devices and one day is used to develop a flexible smartphone, according to Panasonic, which is developing the new battery.Although it’s still in the early stages of development, the battery already has been tested to withstand twists, bends and other deformations while maintaining its ability to hold a charge, according to Panasonic.

Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENG)

The TENGs rely on the triboelectric effect, by which certain materials become electrically charged when rubbed against another type of material. When the materials are in contact, electrons flow from one to the other, but when the materials are separated, the one receiving electrons will hold a charge.

If these two materials are then connected by a circuit, a small current will flow to equalize the charges. By continuously repeating the process, an alternating electrical current can be produced to generate power.

Intelligent transport systems

Research on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) covers a wide field. ITS comprise combinations of communication, computer and control technology developed and applied in transport to improve system performance, transport safety, efficiency, productivity, service, environment, energy and mobility. ITS can be applied to transport infrastructure, as well as to vehicles, such as cars, trucks and trains. These systems can be used in both passenger and freight transport to improve service quality and transport management.

A high-energy-density sugar biobattery based on a synthetic enzymatic pathway

The rapidly growing demand for powering portable electronic devices is driving the development of better batteries with features such as enhanced energy-storage densities, high levels of safety, fast rechargeability, biodegradability and small environmental footprints1. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is often the system of choice because it offers a high energy density, has a flexible and light-weight design and has a longer lifespan than comparable battery technologies. The energy-storage density of a typical lithium-ion battery is ~0.54 MJ kg−1 (that is, 150 Wh kg−1). The widespread use of metal-catalysed batteries also raises many concerns, primarily related to safety, toxic metal pollution and the availability of costly, limited, irreplaceable or rare metal resources.

Enzymatic fuel cells (EFCs) are emerging electrobiochemical devices that directly convert chemical energy from a variety of fuels into electricity using low-cost biocatalyst enzymes. Inspired by living cells that can utilize complex organic compounds, for example, starch and glycogen) as stored energy sources, sugar-powered EFCs represent the next generation of biodegradable, highly safe biobatteries. Compared with microbial fuel cells, EFCs usually generate much higher power density in terms of mW cm−2. This feature highlights their great potential for powering a variety of portable electronic devices in the near future

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