Alternative energy resources are the precise answer to the concerns of growing global pollution rates. Technology has expertly pierced the sector of energy harnessing and is taking it to higher levels of efficiency. Harnessing wind energy with turbines is one of the significant ways to generate alternative energy.
The popularity of wind energy is growing, but the negative parameters stunt it. The extensive installation of turbines and rare earth materials makes the entire process costly. Superconducting tape reduces the use of these rare earth materials from a ton per machine to just about a kilogram. The superconductors minimize the mechanisms' size, weight, and cost-effectively.
These tapes are made through a ceramic superconducting layer with gadolinium-barium-copper oxide and a steel ribbon at its back. This composition supports to protect against metal poisoning with magnesium oxide and silver. The problem of cooling this system is done by the same cryogenic cooling technology used in MRI scanners. This will help decrease capital and operational costs.
The EU-funded EcoSwing project is efficiently using superconducting tapes in turbines. It is the first superconducting low-cost, and lightweight wind turbine drivetrain. The application of the technology of superconductors helps to garner energy without any resistance. The superconducting tapes help to enhance energy-efficient technologies and provide a successful substitute for the previously used copper wires in the turbines.
These tapes can transmit power 100 times greater than the current density and be a competitive alternative to conventional methods of energy generation. The project intends to use the superconducting tapes for at least a year in the wind turbines. This will support, generate and enhance the community's confidence in superconducting wind generators.
The use of superconductors in bridling wind energy will gradually do away with intrusive farms and create lightweight and cost-effective smaller turbines. This will make renewable resources more accessible and better than traditional energy providers.
