Two new utility orders for American Superconductor

American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC) today announced two new sales of its D-VAR grid power regulation systems.

AMSC's D-VAR® (Dynamic VAR) D-VARs are known as STATCOMs in grid parlance. They use a proprietary control and monitoring system to detect and compensate for voltage disturbances by injecting leading or lagging reactive power, measured in VARs ("volt amperes – reactive"), where it is needed on the grid.

One of new utility customers is Entergy Mississippi, part of Entergy Corporation, which provides electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Entergy plans to install a device in a substation in Mississippi to help improve the reliability of the local power grid. Entergy first purchased an AMSC STATCOM solution in 2000 to bolster grid reliability in the Houston area and placed a second order in 2001.

The second unnamed utility is located outside the U.S., the company said.

AMSC claims its more than 60 STATCOM devices ordered worldwide is more than all other manufacturers combined. STATCOM customers include more than 20 electric utilities worldwide.

AMSC offers an array of solutions based on two proprietary technologies: programmable power electronic converters and high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires.

The company is currently in trials of its high temperature superconductor cables and control systems in an application to protect the power grid feeding New York City (see the Cleantech Group's American Superconductor to gird New York grid.)