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U.S. Seeks Superconducting Offshore Wind Generators

In order to successfully harness the full potential of offshore wind energy, the turbine generators need to be large enough without being too massive to build or overheating. Europe has recently made progress towards this goal and now it’s the U.S.’s turn. The U.S. Department of Energy will fund up to $8 million for three advanced-drivetrain efforts, two of which rely on superconductors. The Energy Department is looking for technology that will reduce generator mass by at least 35 percent, boost efficiency by 1 or 2 percent, and more.

Wind Turbine

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