It does this by rotating a rotor field, which produces voltage in stationary armature conductors. The generator field can be produced with copper windings or permanent magnets. In large machines, mechanical considerations and the desire to vary the level of field produced typically favor the use of copper windings over permanent magnets. The primary application would be utility generation facilities, using either new or retrofitted generators. Retrofitting would be more likely in established industrial nations, while developing nations could benefit from new generators using HTS technology.
Generators represent a large, established worldwide market.
Efficiency Gains Generators lose power in the rotor windings and in the armature bars. By using superconducting wire for the field windings, these losses can be practically eliminated. The fields created in the armature by the rotor are not limited by the saturation characteristics of iron and the armatures are constructed without iron teeth. This removes the losses experienced in the armature teeth. The added space for copper in the armature made possible by the removal of the armature teeth further reduces losses.