LONG TERM VISION

Superconducting cables are still under development. As the superconducting wire improves and the cable development matures a number of long-term applications can be foreseen.

Transmission backbones

In the shorter term, HTS cables offer energy efficiency, cheaper installation, and lower system cost. The long-term perspectives include the feasibility of low-loss backbone structures where electric power is hauled over long distances. The driving factors for such backbone structures are:

• Free trading of electricity in NAFTA and EU ("Trans-European Networks");

• Solar energy potential in North Africa;

• Green hydroelectric and wind energy in northern Europe.

HTS cable backbones would be designed as DC systems with power ratings in multiples of GVA. They can be designed as "virtual backbones" joining and reinforcing existing networks, or as actual backbones traversing continents.

HTS backbones will be an alternative or complement to gas- and oil pipelines, oil tankers and overland transport of hydrogen or other energy media. The determining factors for such backbones, apart from cost level, are political stability within the connected regions, and the ownership- and tariff structures in place.

Multi-terminal DC systems

There is synergy between HTS cables and power electronics. The low voltage and high current in the superconducting cables can allow simpler, cheaper and more reliable power conversion units. This can enable the widespread use of multi-terminal DC systems. These systems can be installed in parallel to older AC infrastructure to reinforce, and to stabilise through active control of reactive and active power. The main challenge at present is the power flow control where multiple terminals must communicate reliably in order to create a safe and reliable power flow.

Multiterminal DC network with HTS backbones.

 

Top of page

 

	why superconducting cables?
	substation connections
	retrofit of existing cables
	high load connections
	DC cables
	long term visions