Successful HTS-project in USA
HTS Triax® Superconducting Cable brings more power to more people.
Two and a half years of successful commercial operation in superconductive power distribution.
nkt cables and the leading American wire and cable manufacturer Souhtwire Company entered a joint venture in 2002 to develop and manufacture superconducting cable systems for the commercial market. And in 2006 in Groveport, Ohio, they started the installation of an urban power distribution project using high-temperature superconductor - known as HTS Triax® Superconducting Cable systems.
This installation uses approx. 200 metes of the HTS Triax® Superconducting Cable to distribute electric power to 8,600 homes and businesses. "Using second-generation cable design and recent advances in cooling technology, this installation proves the realiability of HTS Triax® Cable systems in reducing the cost of high-efficiency power distribution in an urban setting", says David Lindsay, Southwire Director of Engineering.
The system has operated successfully since its installation in August 2006. And with the rapid decline in available underground space for conventional cables and the prohibitive cost of real estate for new or expanded substations, superconducting cables are emerging as a solution for electric power to densely populated areas. There are many benefits of HTS Triax® superconducting cables, including; increased reliability in the electrical grid by facilitating interconnectivity between electrical substations and alleviated substation space constraints. These virtual substations can eliminate the need for some transformers saving a utility customer up to $2 million per transformer. Moreover the HTS Triax® cable can carry as much current as 18 large copper cables. This is possible because HTS Triax® cables operate at extremely low temperatures for power cable (-196oC), and elinimates current flow resistance. Thanks to a new cooling technology these cables also reduces cost and maintenance, and becuase HTS Triax® is so compact, you cut the quantity of wire in half.
Due to the successful operation in Groveport, The Ultera joint venture now have projects under way in New Orleans and new York City.