Dr. Joseph V Minervini

Present work at the Technology and Engineering Division of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) is focused on applications of High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) tapes and cables for use in DC power transmission and distribution systems. The near-term focus is on development of relatively low voltage (400 - 600 V), high current (10,000 - 25,000 A) cables for DC power distribution in data server centers.It is projected that DC systems can be more effective by reducing distribution losses and less expensive to install and operate. 

The data server center distribution system has similarities to “MicroGrids”, compact distribution systems which would possibly be powered from a variety of alternative sources such as solar PV, wind, fuel cell, etc. The present work is directly relevant to other distribution applications, with the goal of eventual implementation in large scale DC power transmission systems.