Superconductor transmission cable system celebrated

Tag : Flexible Wires

The HTS cable system installed in LIPA's power grid containshair-thin, ribbon-shaped HTS wires that conduct 150 times theelectricity of similar sized copper wires. This power densityadvantage enables transmission-voltage HTS cables to utilize farless wire and yet conduct up to five times more power -- in asmaller right of way -- than traditional copper-based cables. Whenoperated at full capacity, the HTS cable system is capable oftransmitting up to 574 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
LIPA's installation includes three phases connected through sixoutdoor terminations. It was designed, manufactured and installedby Nexans. The cable cores utilize HTS wires produced by AMSC,which also is the prime contractor for the project. The liquidnitrogen refrigeration system was manufactured by Air Liquide.Three 2,000-foot-long vacuum-insulated flexible cryostats providehigh-quality thermal insulation maintaining the cable cores atcryogenic temperature.
The DOE previously funded $27.5 million of the $58.5 million totalproject cost. The DOE envisions HTS power cables as a component ofa modern electricity superhighway.
AMSC is also leading the development of an extension of LIPA's HTScable system. The new project calls for the replacement of one ofthe existing HTS cable system's phases with a 600-meter-long cablemade with AMSC's proprietary 344 superconductors, the company'sbrand name for what is generically known as second generation, or"2G" HTS wire. The cable system will also incorporate Secure SuperGrids technology.
Secure Super Grids is a system-level solution that utilizescustomized 2G HTS wires, HTS power cables and ancillary controls todeliver more power through the grid and suppress power surges thatcan disrupt service. AMSC is leading a separate, parallel projectto demonstrate and deploy the first distribution-voltage (13kV)Secure Super Grid solution in the power network of ConsolidatedEdison in midtown Manhattan.
Secure Super Grids utilize multiple paths for electricity flow inmetropolitan power grids to ensure system reliability whenindividual circuits are disrupted due to severe weather, trafficaccidents or willful destruction. In addition, they utilize thespecial properties of AMSC's 344 superconductors to not onlyrelieve grid congestion, but also suppress power surges that oftendamage utility equipment and disrupt customer service.
In addition to being the manager for this turnkey project, AMSCwill supply approximately 60,000 meters of its second generationHTS wire known as "344 superconductors," needed to manufacture thepower cable. As was the case in the original LIPA cable project,AMSC has chosen Nexans as the cable manufacturer and Air Liquide asthe provider of the cryogenics system. Apart from being the world'sfirst transmission-voltage cable system powered by 2G HTS wire,AMSC and its project partners will be developing new repairablecryostat and cable joining technology and a low-cost, reliable andefficient refrigeration system.
The DOE, through its National Energy Technology Laboratory, isexpected to provide AMSC with $4 million in federal funding throughcompletion of its first project budget period, expected to end inSeptember 2008. Upon successful completion of key projectmilestones and sustained execution of a viable business strategy,as much as $5 million in additional DOE funding may be madeavailable for continued implementation of this two-and-a-half-yearproject through March 2010, subject to availability of fundsappropriated by the U.S. Congress.
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