EPRI Report Shows That DC Superconductor Cable is Feasible for Development Using Today’s Technology

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/03/epri-20100304.html

EPRI Report Shows That DC Superconductor Cable is Feasible for Development Using Today’s Technology
4 March 2010

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has published a report that describes the design of a superconducting direct current (DC) cable system capable of moving thousands of megawatts of electricity between regions, and which is practical and ready for commercial development, using today’s technology.

The EPRI analysis points to significant efficiency gains using superconducting DC transmission lines, with the capability to reduce transmission losses at full load by more than 150% compared to alternating current (AC) or high-voltage DC systems. Assuming the trend continues for cost-performance improvements in superconducting wire, such a line could become an option within a decade along with Extra High Voltage (EHV) AC lines that are currently used to move large amounts of power over long distances.

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EPRI also has published two companion superconducting reports. These highlight the practical issues of integrating a long-distance, high-power superconducting DC link into the existing, lower-power AC transmission and distribution systems, and states that the operation and control of this link will be a key to the viability and acceptance of the concept.

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