Making Superconducting power grids a feasible solution for Europe

Power transmission is a critical step in electrifying and decarbonizing Europe.

The construction of cross-continental grids for transmitting large amounts of power over very long distances has become strategic.

But using current cables made with standard conductors entail prohibitive energy losses in such grids: 50GW would be wasted in a pan-European 75.000km 10GW High-Voltage Direct-Current (HVDC) grid, equal to the electricity produced by 50 power plants.SUBRA, a spin-off from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), has developed and patented a solution which will revolutionise European grids by mass producing High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) power cables, with superior properties, no limitation in length, and at an affordable price.

This represents a ground-breaking option allowing: 90% reduction of energy losses; 99% reduction of copper required; 75% reduction of Levelized Cost of Transmission (LCoT); and using small underground lines rather than overhead lines.