SuperNode Ltd, the Irish superconducting cable technology developer, has successfully applied 5 kiloampere (kA) direct current (DC) to a 30 metre long superconducting cable. The full-scale system demonstration of SuperNode’s novel superconducting cable design, using SuperNode’s proprietary smooth bore polymeric inner cryostat, took place at the company’s technology centre in Blyth, UK.
SuperNode applies its reinforced thermoplastics (RTP) technology to substitute the corrugated steel cryostats commonly used in first generation superconducting cables. This significantly reduces cost, while enabling longer distances and improves efficiency.
John Fitzgerald, CEO of Supernode said: “This successful demonstration marks the birth of a new generation of lower cost superconducting cable systems, with longer range and improved efficiency. Higher capacity cables will be an invaluable tool for utilities and large energy users such as data centres, seeking to boost capacity while minimising space, emissions, visual impacts and cost.”
Superconducting cables can carry 5-10 times more energy in a single cable than conventional copper or aluminium cables. It is the first time ever that superconductivity is demonstrated using a polymer-based cryostat to cool a high-temperature superconductor in an electric cable. 5 kA – or 5,000 amps – is a massive amount of electrical current. For comparison, the charging range of electric vehicle chargers are typically from 16 to 80 amps. Lightning strikes deliver about 30 kA.
By replacing traditional stainless corrugated sheaths with polymer-based advanced materials, SuperNode’s technology reduces losses and increases the distance between cooling stations more than fivefold—significantly enhancing operational efficiency and cost. Based on this core technology platform, SuperNode offers products including cryolines for AC cables and cryogenic products; and DC cables with integrated conductors.
About SuperNode
SuperNode, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, specialises in developing superconducting cable systems for electricity distribution, transmission and industrial applications such as data centres. It holds a proprietary cable design technology that dramatically improves efficiency and installation ease over conventional superconducting cables.
Superconductivity is a phenomenon whereby some materials exhibit zero resistance when cooled below their critical temperature – enabling them to transmit power with zero losses.