ENTSO-E’s Vision for 2050 has listed superconductor cables as a game changing technology with a high likelihood of realisation.
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) released their Vision for 2050 at a three day event starting Monday the 10th of October. The document presents a comprehensive vision of what they believe would be “necessary to achieve a power system fit for a carbon neutral Europe”.
The document includes a section titled: ‘Potential Game Changers’ which are defined as ‘disruptive and highly impacting factors’. Superconductivity is named as one of eight potential game changers.
SuperNode CEO John Fitzgerald commented:
“ENTSO-E’s Vision for 2050 recognising superconducting cable technology as a game changer is a hugely positive step for SuperNode and the industry. The energy system requires long-term planning. We need to look out to 2050, establish what a decarbonised European energy system looks like and then plan our grids accordingly. SuperNode commends ENTSO-E for taking this long-term view. Superconductors can play a critical role in renewable powered energy systems by alleviating grid bottlenecks. Superconducting cables can carry large amounts of power long distances more efficiently, with reduced costs and environmental footprint.”
For the superconducting technology sector, the challenge is to respond with long-range, reliable superconducting cables systems. This will increase the impact we can have on the transition. In SuperNode, this is our sole technology focus.
The SuperGrid was also mentioned as a gamechanger in ENTSO-E’s vision. The SuperGrid and superconducting cables are complementary. A renewable powered pan-European SuperGrid will require huge power flows across Europe from supply to demand. The best renewable resources are often located far from demand centres (offshore wind, solar). Current cable technology is insufficient to transmit this level of renewable power effectively. Superconducting cables can be the perfect technology to enable a European SuperGrid.
ENTSO-E undertook deeper analysis on these game changers and SuperNode looks forward to the publishing of this analysis to better understand their views on the energy system in 2050.
ENSTO-E’s vision for 2050 can be found here.