Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA; Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.), one of the largest transmission grid operators in the United States, has ordered five SuperVAR^™ high-temperature superconductor (HTS) dynamic synchronous condensers from American Superconductor Corp. (AMSC; Westborough, Massachusetts, U.S.), a global supplier of superconductor products and power electronic converters to the electric power industry. The SVAR machines will enable TVA to cost-effectively increase and optimize the transmission capacity of existing power grids.

SuperVAR machines provide reactive power measured in VARs (volt-amperes reactive) that are required to ensure the reliable flow of electricity through alternating current (AC) power grids. The machines are based on AMSC's proprietary HTS motor and generator technology. All five units will be based on a prototype, which TVA is helping finance and which is expected to be installed on TVA's grid in November 2003. TVA currently operates other grid reliability solutions from AMSC.
Circle 179 on Reader Service Card or visit freeproductinfo.net/tdw