Environmental advantages of superconducting devices in distributed electricity-generation

Distributed generation (DG) is emerging as an alternative to a centralized electricity-generation system. The goals of DG include the minimization of the environmental impacts of energy production and introduction of new renewable energy-sources to the distribution network. Superconducting devices are also proposed for DG because of their high efficiencies as well as smaller size and more stable operation during peak loads. This study concentrates on the environmental benefits of superconducting machinery by comparing suitable devices with their competitors in DG-networks. Exploitable superconducting devices in DG include superconducting magnetic energy-storage (SMES), flywheels and cable systems. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is used as a tool in comparisons of energy-storage devices suitable for DG: SMESs, flywheels and batteries. In LCA, all material inputs, energy consumptions, wastes, and emissions are assessed over the life-cycle of the product. Finally, a commercialization schedule for HTS-cables is presented and an unconventional concept for a DG-network is suggested for further examination. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.