Magnetic Bearing Projects in the USA Electric Utility Industry

EPRI is convinced of the technical merit and the potential cost benefit of magnetic bearings in the electric utility industry, as demonstrated by the two recently completed pr~jects, funded by Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation (ESEERCO), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and New York State Energy Research Development Association (NYSERDA). However, due to the novelty of the technology and the multi-disciplinary nature, together with the high costs, the technology is not yet being corrunercially applied. Acccordingly, EPRI is initiating a program, with the overall objective of accelerating the commercial pplication, in the following areas: • Assessment of the technology and it's cost benefits • Reviewing the need for supporting technology development • Providing industry guidelines to assist future users • Supporting further demonstration projects where needed • Providing methods and materials for technology transfer into operating plants In parallel, ESEERCO is funding a study within the New York State utilities to detennine if and how joint specifications/procurement can be used to make magnetic bearings more cost effective. This study could later be expanded through collaboration with EPRI. An EPRI Advisory Corrunittee on Magnetic Bearings has been initiated with the primary objective of providing industry guidelines that simplify and accelerate the corrunercial adoption of magnetic bearings in the electric utility industry. In addition, it is expected that the Committee will also provide guidance and data to support the other activities in the overall EPRI program. The five areas in which the Corrunittee plans to develop guidelines are: • Design Specifications • Balancing • Installation and Testing • Controls & Redundancy • Training Operation and Maintenance This paper will present the results, status and plan of EPRI's overall magnetic bearing program.