Monday, January 23, 2006

Energy

AMSC charged up with first 2G superconductor wire orders

Billerica's American Superconductor Corp., a maker of alternative electricity systems, has booked its first set of orders for its second generation, high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire (also known as "344 superconductors").

The new orders were received from 18 customers in the United States, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Switzerland, according to the company.

Financial terms of the deals were not provided, though the first 1,000 meters of 344 superconductors were shipped to customers at the end of 2005 at an average selling price of $100 per meter, according to company officials.

Customers would use the 344 superconductors to test and determine its properties and performance, and to make the first prototype power devices such as fault current limiters, cables, motors and electromagnets.

AMSC's 344 superconductors is a drop-in replacement for customers who are already using first-generation HTS wire as well as customers, company officials said.

The company began regular production of the wire in September 2005 and has set a production and shipping goal of 300,000 meters per day by December 2007. Greg Yurek, AMSC's chief executive officer, reports the company is on track to reach that capacity.

AMSC's stock opened the day at $10.31 per share, up 8 cents from yesterday's close.