Executive Summary

DOE and the national laboratory, industrial and university teams working on electric system applications of high temperature superconductors (HTS) have long recognized the importance of cryogenics as an enabling technology. Cryogenic workshops were held at the 1998 and 1999 DOE Peer Reviews. These workshops examined the state-of-the-art in cryogenic components and estimated performance requirements when used with HTS electric power systems. The key issues in employment of cryogenic support technology were identified as efficiency, reliability and cost. The participants developed a Cryogenic Roadmap and a companion Implementation Plan. Building on this planning base, the principal objectives of the present effort are: 1) Determination of the characteristics of the cryogenic refrigeration systems for use in HTS electric power applications. 2) Critical appraisal of the state of cryogenic refrigeration technology, comparing how well this technology matches the needs of the HTS power applications. 3) Determination of deficiencies in cryogenic technology that must be mitigated. 4) Identification of the R&D program elements that should be undertaken to fulfill the needs of the HTS power applications, an