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Paris, April 30, 2008 – The world’s longest and highest-voltage superconductor power transmission cable, developed and manufactured by Nexans, the worldwide leader in the cable industry, has just been energised successfully in a test installation for the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), one of the largest municipal electric utilities in the US. The 600-metre, 138 kV, 574 MVA power link, comprising three high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable phases running in parallel, is the world’s first superconductor cable system installed in a live grid operating at transmission voltage.
The purpose of the LIPA project, which is supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE), is to provide a real-life demonstration of the application of an HTS cable within an electric utility’s operational transmission system. The cable system, including six outdoor terminations for connection to LIPA’s grid, was designed, manufactured and installed by Nexans. The cable utilizes HTS wire produced by American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC), which also is the prime contractor for the project. Air Liquide has provided the liquid nitrogen refrigeration system.
The superconductor cable has been installed in LIPA’s Holbrook transmission right-of-way. It is capable of transmitting up to 574 MVA of electricity – enough to power 300,000 homes. After an initial operational period and following performance and economic reviews, LIPA plans to retain the superconductor cable as a permanent part of its grid.
HTS cable benefits
HTS cables can carry three to five times more power than conventional copper cables of similar sizes. Thermally-independent, compact HTS cables can be installed into existing rights-of-way, helping to reduce the cost and environmental impact of future grid upgrades. With lower impedance than conventional technology, superconductor cables can be placed strategically in the power grid to draw flow away from overtaxed cables or overhead lines, reducing network congestion while providing an environmentally friendly solution. The DOE sees HTS cables as a core component of a modern electricity superhighway, one that is free of bottlenecks and can readily transmit power to customers from remote generating sites, such as wind farms.
 
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