Research database

To tackle the ever-increasing impact of harmful emissions on climate change, the ‘green transition’ pillar of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the ‘green revolution and ecological transition’ mission of the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) endorse the development of key technologies for energy generation exploiting renewables, highly efficient energy conversions through the electrification of end uses, and a sustainable mobility. Besides efficiency, also the power-to-weight ratio is a key performance index to minimize the environmental footprint of energy conversion devices. The research project SYNERGY will investigate the practicability of high-performance electric machines equipped with superconductors, integrated with power electronics converters, and monitored by advanced diagnostic techniques while operated at cryogenic temperatures. Electric machines equipped with high temperature superconductors (HTS) feature high specific torque and efficiency due to low Joule losses and higher loading capacity. Power electronics components show promising advantages in cryogenic environment, such as higher power density, efficiency, and switching speed compared to room temperature conditions. Dedicated power conversion structures will be investigated to limit the use of passive components, such as inductors and electrolytic capacitors. Advanced diagnostic techniques will be developed to prevent quenching phenomena of the superconducting machine and failure of the cryogenic power converter. These technologies at cryogenic temperatures allow to push the specific power of electric drives up to values that can well exceed 10 kW/kg, as required by challenging applications such as offshore wind generators or electric aircraft propulsion systems. The project will include experimental activities on a reduced-scale test setup, consisting of a small size induction machine with superconductors on the rotor side and supplied at the stator by a power electronics converter. The tests will be conducted submerging both the electric machine and the power converter in liquid nitrogen to keep their operating temperature at cryogenic conditions. Dissemination activities will be SYNERGY milestones to share new findings and learned lessons, as well as to favour the industrial technology transfer. The three research units involved in the project will synergically collaborate, addressing both specific research targets and joint testing activities. Politecnico di Torino will be responsible for the superconducting electric machine, Università di Parma for the cryogenic power electronics, and Università di Pavia for the control and diagnostic techniques. Companies of primary importance in the design and production of electric machines and drives for high-performance energy conversions expressed their industrial interest in this research project and the expected results.