With the growing demand for electricity in urban areas, high-voltage overhead lines face significant challenges when trying to connect to city centers. As a result, underground cables have become a more viable solution for delivering power to densely populated regions. Among these, high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables stand out due to their numerous advantages. These cables use liquid nitrogen as a coolant, allowing them to operate at superconducting levels while minimizing environmental impact. Unlike traditional cables, HTS cables do not pose risks of oil leaks or fires, making them a safer and cleaner alternative.
According to international forecasts, the HTS cable industry is expected to take off by 2020. Major companies in developed countries such as the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and France are actively investing in research and development. Analysts predict that the global market for superconducting applications could reach $244 billion by 2020, with HTS cables accounting for approximately 5% of this market. This growth highlights the increasing importance of HTS technology in modern energy systems.
The use of liquid nitrogen cooling has significantly reduced the cost of HTS cables, making them more competitive with conventional cables. This advancement is accelerating the practical implementation of HTS technology in real-world applications. In China, for example, it's estimated that about 100,000 km of 10 kV and above cross-linked polyethylene insulated power cables are used annually. If 5% of this volume were replaced by HTS cables, the annual demand for HTS cables would reach 5,000 kilometers.
Compared to traditional cables, HTS cables offer remarkable performance improvements. They have a transmission loss of only 0.5%, compared to 5–8% for conventional cables. Additionally, HTS cables can carry 3–5 times more power than regular cables of the same size and weight, while reducing losses by up to 60%. Retrofitting existing underground systems with HTS cables can boost transmission capacity by over three times and lower overall costs by 20%. They also enable new transmission methods, such as low-voltage, high-current power delivery.
China has made significant progress in HTS cable technology. On August 16th, a 765-meter-long CB superconducting cable conductor was successfully produced at Baiyin Nonferrous Metals under the supervision of the ITER program. This marks a major milestone in the development of large-scale superconducting cables. The ITER project aims to demonstrate controlled nuclear fusion, often referred to as the "artificial sun." China has been a key participant in the project since 2003 and is responsible for producing 70% of the tube-mounted cable conductors.
In recent years, several countries have achieved breakthroughs in HTS cable projects, with grid-connected demonstrations becoming a reality. After more than two decades of research, superconducting power transmission is now entering the commercial phase, with expectations of full-scale operations within the next five years.
In April, China commissioned a 360-meter-long, 10,000-amp high-temperature superconducting DC cable in Henan Province. This is currently the world’s largest HTS cable and the first to achieve grid-connected operation. In July, Tianjin Superconducting Technology Application Company launched its HTS cable project, aiming to build the first domestic second-generation lanthanide HTS transmission line. Japan also made progress with a superconducting DC transmission test, with plans to replace aging metal cables with HTS cables by 2020.
Experts believe that while challenges remain, the opportunities for China’s wire and cable industry are substantial. By embracing HTS technology, the industry can drive innovation, reduce competition, and achieve long-term economic benefits. This shift could revitalize the sector and lead to a brighter, more sustainable future.
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