Superconductor cable innovation

Nexans, a French cable manufacturer, is to make the cable and cryogenic cooling system for the US Department of Energy's (DoE) 30 million USD high-temperature superconductor (HTS) power project in the Long Island Power Authority transmission grid. For the first time, a superconductor cable will be used in a live transmission grid. An HTS cable can carry several times more current than a conventional copper cable and exhibit zero resistance when cooled with liquid nitrogen to nearly -200°C. Air Liquide will supply the refrigeration equipment. The 138 kV superconductor system has a capacity of 600 MW and will supply power to 300 000 homes by late 2005.