Motors & Drives Information

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with SuperPower, Inc. of Schenectady, NY to work together to design, develop, build and install High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) electric motors and generators for high-horsepower commercial, industrial and military applications. Superconducting motors have been identified as a key emerging technology for delivering significant energy savings across a variety of industries.

Under terms of the agreement, Reliance(TM) industrial, commercial and marine motors and generators will incorporate SuperPower's groundbreaking ceramic-based Second Generation (2G) coated conductor technology. SuperPower is developing a 2G HTS wire that demonstrates superior performance over commonly used "first generation" wire. The enhanced current carrying performance at higher operating temperatures makes SuperPower's 2G wire an essential component for more energy efficient and cost effective industrial motors and generators.

Since 1987, Rockwell Automation engineers have been pioneering new technologies to make superconductivity a viable energy-saving solution. In 2001, Rockwell Automation demonstrated a 1600 horsepower superconducting motor using first generation wire. The use of the more cost effective 2G wire will help further the development of lightweight, highly-efficient generators and motors, ideal for a multitude of industrial applications that place a high premium on energy efficiency, weight and size. The combination of benefits will provide lowest life cycle cost solutions to commercial, industrial and marine customers. The development of HTS motors also offers new access in markets like marine propulsion.

"The results of our future efforts under this joint agreement will make a significant impact on the successful commercialization of second-generation HTS rotating machinery leading to cost-effective electric motors and generators that are ultra-efficient, lighter, and substantially more power dense than those that are available today," said Joseph D. Swann, president, Rockwell Automation Power Systems. "This is a significant step forward in the continued development of the world's first commercial HTS motor and generator. We are all extremely excited about the potential of this vital energy-saving technology, as well as the total cost of ownership benefits it could provide to our customers."