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Clay C. Perry
Senior Media Relations Manager
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NEWS RELEASE
EPRI Shows That Direct Current Superconductor Cable is Feasible for
Development Using Today’s Technology
Two Companion Reports Highlight Issues Surrounding Cable Integration
PALO ALTO, Calif. - (March 3, 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 50 percent or more
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.
The EPRI report indicates that the builders of superconducting DC transmission lines could rely
on commercially available technology and construction methods similar to those used in natural
gas pipeline construction. These include factory manufactured, transportable sections of an
outer carbon steel pipe containing inner stainless steel piping for the flowing coolant and
superconducting cable, and trucking to the site for assembly, welding and burial.
The lighter, thinner, higher-capacity superconducting cable might be fabricated, shipped and
installed with methods and equipment now used for conventional underground transmission
cable. Production capacity of superconducting wire today is limited but given substantial
demand capacity could possibly be expanded sufficiently for longer lines. Refrigeration and
vacuum requirements of the line might be met by equipment and methods utilized in the
industrial gas industry.
“In the future we may see the development of generation facilities, such as large wind farms or
nuclear “farms” capable of producing five to 10 gigawatts (GW), but located far from urban
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centers of demand. It will then be necessary to move large amounts of power over long
distances,” said Arshad Mansoor, vice president of Power Delivery and Utilization for EPRI.
As designed, the superconducting cable system outlined in the report would provide 10 GW
power capacity with a nominal current and voltage of 100 kiloamps and 100 kilovolts. The report
also points to the cable system’s potential to enhance the safety, reliability and efficiency of the
existing AC power grid.
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.
The reports can be downloaded from the EPRI website at www.epri.com.
Main Report 1020458, “A Superconducting DC Cable”
http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?Abstract_id=000000000001020458
Companion Report 1020330, “Study on the Integration of High Temperature Superconducting
DC Cables within the Eastern and Western North American Power Grids”
http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?Abstract_id=000000000001020330
Companion Report 1020339, “Transient Response of a Superconducting DC Long Length
Cable System Using Voltage Source Converters”
http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?Abstract_id=000000000001020339
About the Electric Power Research Institute
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and
development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the
public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers
as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity,
including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's members represent
more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and
international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are
located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.
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