Conceptual Design of a 25 MW HTS Wind Power Generator for Offshore Green Hydrogen Production

The global demand for green hydrogen (H<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{2}$</tex-math></inline-formula>) is forecast to grow as economies transition away from fossil fuels. Off-shore wind farms are well-suited for H<inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{2}$</tex-math></inline-formula> production by electrolysis because they have access to a large and consistent source of renewable energy. Next-generation wind turbine designs are pushing ratings above 20 MW, where superconductors can help reduce the size and increase the efficiency of the generators. This paper describes a concept design for a 25 MW partially superconducting wind power generator intended for self-contained offshore production of green hydrogen. The generator features a high-temperature superconductor rotor energized by flux pump brushless exciters, and copper armature stator windings. Both rotor and stator are constructed in modular quadrants that can be factory-tested prior to transportation by road to the site. Each quad unit has its own superconducting coils, cryostat, cooling, and current sources. The modules are assembled to form the generator unit at the site, and can also be serviced or replaced individually, adding significant flexibility and robustness to generator operation.