Superconducting Power Grid Launches In New York

EmagGeek writes "IEEE is running a story about a new superconducting power grid that was energized in April in New York State. The lines operate at 138kV and are cooled to 65-75K to maintain superconductivity. These lines are run underground and can carry 150 times more electricity than copper lines of the same cross section. The project is funded with taxpayer dollars through the Department of Energy." A related story at MarketWatch indicates that this is part of a large-scale effort to upgrade aging infrastructure.

Comments

Wow, !vaporware?

[martinw89]

With the influx of superconducting articles I got a pretty good feel of "hight temperature" superconducting being vaporware. It's cool that we're seeing real world applications now. TFA even tries to trick you into not believing the summary by saying they were "commissioned", but if I read correctly they mean "was put on the power grid" by commissioned, not "was approved to be built."

Re:Forget wires

[TheRaven64]

I disagree. Large-scale power distribution is pretty much always more efficient. Even if you are talking about solar, then large-scale sun-tracking mirrors focussing on central elements is more efficient than individual scattered cells. The problem, currently, is that you lose a lot of what you gain when you transmit it a long way. If you have superconducting wires then it becomes possible to convert a large part of the Sahara desert into a solar array and supply all of Europe, and do the same with plants in the middle of the US for cities on the edge.

This is only a 150 metre prototype, but if the technology scales then it will have a major effect on the economics of power distribution.

Re:Possible new 'Terrorism' target?

[Nimey]

I wish that was funny and not depressing.

Re:Superconductors = almost no heat

[duffbeer703]

Even if it took alot of energy to cool the lines, these would still make sense in NY. Long Island is like the epicenter of the NIMBY philosophy, so no new power generation has been added for 30-40 years. Most new power is actually transported from the large hydro projects in Quebec. Using the existing power rights of way, 60-75% of each marginal increase in power transmission is lost in transit. So if you send 10 units of electricity from Quebec, 2-4 units will come out on the other end.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion