1



                                                                    Exhibit 23.4



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 and related
prospectus of American Superconductor Corporation and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated February 29, 1996, with respect to the
financial statements of Superconductivity, Inc. for the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1994 and for the period from March 22, 1988 (Inception) to December 31,
1995 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 5, 1997 and Form
8-K/A dated June 19, 1997 filed by American Superconductor Corporation with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                    /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


December 17, 1997
Milwaukee, Wisconsin