Design and Experimental Validation of an Air-Cored Superconducting Generator Module

With the increase in wind turbine generator power ratings, achieving high power output while minimizing mass has become critically important. Conventional wind turbine generators rely on massive iron cores, which significantly contribute to the overall weight. In recent years, air-cored designs combined with high-temperature superconducting (HTS) windings have emerged as a promising approach to reducing generator mass and enhancing power capability. In this study, eight YBCO HTS coils were connected in series to form a closed magnetic loop (CML) array, demonstrating a novel ironless topology that replaces permanent magnets with HTS coils to enhance magnetic field strength. The FEM model for the HTS CML module was validated by measuring the magnetic field distribution, power dissipation during current ramping, and back electromotive force (emf) in the copper stator windings. The validated finite element method (FEM) model was subsequently extended to predict the performance of a full-scale HTS generator operating at 30 K. The prediction results confirm the feasibility of the proposed design and highlight its potential for realizing lightweight, modular, and high–power-density HTS generators for future renewable energy systems.