Superconducting transmission cables

The discovery of high-temperature superconductivity (HTS) in 1986-1988 rekindled interest in superconducting power transmission cables. Many projects are underway around the world to study the use of HTS power transmission cables. The siting and environmental issues facing the expansion of transmission capacity have become increasingly more difficult with time. The HTS power cable may be able to address some of these issues, especially in urban areas, where HTS retrofits of existing conventional cables can increase capacity substantially without increasing the footprint of the cable right of way. Several of the cable projects employing HTS are discussed in this article.