Superconductor based power grid – a reality?

The continuous depletion of fossil fuels and rising environmental pressure has forced the mankind to search and develop renewable energy and energy-saving technologies. Researchers are predicting that superconductor based technologies will take the future smart grids to next level; because the application of superconductor technologies in the power grid can decrease power losses, relieve overloads, reduce the voltage of power transmission, increase power transmission capacity, and improve power quality and grid stability. Thus, the grids would be more powerful, stable, reliable and efficient. With the discovery of second generation (2G) High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) working at relatively higher temperatures, many countries have initiated research towards achieving green energy and energy-saving. HTS power equipments, such as HTS power cables, HTS transformers, Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (SFCL), Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage devices (SMES) are already demonstrated in the power grids of many countries. With the development of these equipment, the dream of constructing superconductor based power grid seems a reality. However, there are still few technological challenges and improvements that need to be overcome before a fully functional superconductor based power grid can be realized.