Attack-Proof Power Line to be Installed Under NY

Podcaster writes "American Superconductor Corporation and Con Edison have announced a joint effort to develop and deploy a new system that utilizes high temperature superconductor power cable technology in Con Edison's grid in New York City. The project, called Project Hydra, will aim to establish 'Secure Super Grids' that can withstand extreme weather and terrorist attacks."

Comments

Reasons why NYC needs 'Team Hydra'

[Podcaster]

Don't want to RTFA? That's fine, this is /. after all. Here's a summary of the main points to get you started:

• "Project Hydra" is named after the mythical Greek monster that grew back multiple heads when one was severed. The grid is expected to be able to self-regulate power surges and maintain supply under extreme conditions.
• The system's reliability comes from the large number of interconnections that will be made to the power grid under NYC. This is also the driving force behind the need to use HTS materials because the electrical resistance of copper is too high for it to be used.
• The superconductor cable is expected to cost nearly $40 million, funded in part by the US Dept of Homeland Security.
• The cable is expected to be commissioned for operation in early 2010.
• This link is the best place to start if you want to find out more about Team Hydra.
• I, for one, welcome our new multi-headed superconducting subterrainian overlords!

-P

Re:Reasons why NYC needs 'Team Hydra'

[Podcaster]

The superconductor cable is expected to cost nearly $40 million, funded in part by the US Dept of Homeland Security.

That's rich -- toss in a reference to terrorism into the bid, and you get federal dollars for your project. Lame... and expensive.

However, I think the grid's greatest enemy is it's own users. This country is too power hungry.

I tend to agree with you. I'm not sure that this system addresses any part of the power infrastructure that might actually be vulnerable to human attack. Natural disasters are fine, but have any NYC blackouts in recent decades been caused by nature, or have they all been SNAFU?

-P

Re:Reasons why NYC needs 'Team Hydra'

[jandrese]

I don't work in the industry, but I have to say that $40M for a long haul power line sounds pretty cheap, especially when you give it the old anti-terr'ism spin. Personally, I'm impressed that they can run a cryogenic cable underneath NYC that cheaply.

smekel666

[User 956]

The project, called Project Hydra, will aim to establish 'Secure Super Grids' that can withstand extreme weather and terrorist attacks.

But will it survive human error and project mismanagement? I think not.

Sheer genius

[Anonymous Coward]

Because nothing says "fault tolerance" better than a requirement to keep 40 miles of wire at -400F.