پروژه "تحقیق و توسعه" در فن آوری های کاربردی قدرت ابررسانا

The R&D project on superconductor power application technologies (FY1988–1999), one of the projects in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)/Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) New Sunshine (NSS) Program, is reviewed. The purposes of the project are to develop the technologies necessary for the superconductor applications in electric power systems and, especially for superconducting generators (SCGs) which have distinguished merits, to provide all technologies necessary for their commercialization. With the steady R&D efforts of Engineering Research Association for Superconductive Generation Equipment and Materials (Super-GM), the technologies to design and construct the Pilot SCG of 200 MW class had been established, finally through the verification tests of the model machines of 70 MW class

From FY1988 to FY1999, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) had executed and managed the R&D project on superconductor power application technologies as a part of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)/Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) New Sunshine (NSS) Program which aimed at developing new energy, energy conservation and global environment technologies (MITI; AIST). In this project, Engineering Research Association for Superconductive Generation Equipment and Materials (Super-GM), composed of 16 members of industrial circles, had played the dominant role (cf. Table 1).

The project on superconductor power application technologies had obtained excellent results substantially as planned, though the term had been extended longer than eight years, that was planned at first. The SCG technologies had been raised to the level to be able to design and manufacture the Pilot SCG of 200 MW class, a milestone towards their commercialization. The applicability of NbTi conductors to AC power apparatuses can now be foreseen. No one doubts now of realization of SC oxide conductors applicable to power apparatuses in the future. The conditions surrounding the electric power industry, however, have been changed drastically for this decade in the world-wide stream of deregulation and liberalization of the industry affecting strongly R&D policy and activities. On the other hand, the electricity demand in the world is forecasted to increase steadily hereafter, mainly in the developing countries including Japan. The discernment from long-ranged view of what power system technologies should be and what the R&D policy on them should be in the future is most important and desired. Especially the SC technology still remains in the level in which national projects play important roles and accordingly the discussions on the role of the Government should be activated.