Fully Integrated High Speed Megawatt Class Motor and High Frequency Variable Speed Drive System Award Number: DE-EE0007254 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6 Advanced Manufacturing Office Date: 02/11/2016 Location(s): SC Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
February 22, 2016
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Fully Integrated High Speed MegawattClass Motor and High FrequencyVariable Speed Drive System
Award Number: DE-EE0007254
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Advanced Manufacturing Office
Date: 02/11/2016
Location(s): SC
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Clemson University to develop a fully integrated high speed megawatt class motor and high frequency variable speed drive system that would serve as a commercially viable and technically sound methodology for high speed industrial system applications.
The proposed project activities would include the design, development, construction and testing of a prototype, megawatt class, high speed motor and medium voltage, high frequency, motor drive system. Design and development activities would occur at four separate sites: Clemson University in Clemson, SC and North Charleston, SC, TECO Westinghouse Motor Company (TWMC) in Round Rock, TX and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Construction of the prototype system would be performed at TWMC in Round Rock, TX and the testing of the prototype system would be performed at Clemson University Energy Innovation Center in North Charleston, SC. A new dynamometer would be built and installed at the Energy Innovation Center in North Charleston to test the prototype system. Necessary electrical permits needed for the installation of the dynamometer would be obtained prior to beginning work on the proposed project. Roughly 20 MWh of energy would be consumed during the testing of the prototype system with an estimated release of carbon dioxide of 10 tons. Solvents would be used in the manufacturing process to clean and prepare surfaces and would be utilized within the EPA guidelines for such manufacturing processes. All work for the proposed project would be performed in attainment areas. The facilities above in which prototype construction and testing work would occur are purpose-built for the type of activities being proposed; therefore, no adverse impacts to sensitive resources are expected as a result of the proposed project.