Research Development & Innovation
Projects Overview
Since 2018, SuperNode has been at the forefront of research, development and innovation in superconducting cable technology. Our work focuses on assessing the role and impacts of using superconducting electricity cables, which promise significant advancements in energy efficiency, decarbonisation and supply security.
STERNA 2050
The STERNA 2050 project brings together an industrial/academic consortium to research the contribution superconducting offshore connection systems can have on the decarbonisation and security of supply of Belgium by 2050.
SCARLET
SuperNode has secured EU Horizon funding as part of the SCARLET project to develop superconducting cable technology. This project, including 15 partners from 7 countries, aims to advance this critical technology for the renewable energy transition over four and a half years.
MISSION PROJECT
Running from 2024-2028, this EU-funded project addresses grid expansion needs and regulatory changes. SuperNode's involvement includes analysing superconducting technologies to improve grid efficiency and integration strategies.
Academic Research Overview
Our team has engaged in extensive academic research, collaborating with the University of Edinburgh, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Aberdeen, KU Leuven, University College Cork (UCC), and University College Dublin (UCD). This collaborative research has been published in a series of academic journals and industry publications.
This study demonstrates a feasible approach to the architecture, operation and protection of a high-capacity meshed DC Overlay Grid that interfaces with existing AC Grids in a decarbonised system. This study was the first of its kind in demonstrating this approach for a continental-scale grid.
White Paper by SuperNode, University of Strathclyde & KU Leuven (March 2024).
This paper examines converter station configurations for GW-scale MVDC systems using superconducting cables, focusing on hardware, control, fault handling, and design considerations for 10 kA/100 kV HTS-based MVDC links.
University of Edinburgh submission to The 20th International Conference on AC and DC Power Transmission (ACDC 2024).
An interconnected pan-European energy system can reduce costs by up to 39% when compared to a Business-as-Usual approach, according to a model produced by UCD with further analysis from SuperNode.
Presented at Engineers Ireland by UCD Energy Institute and SuperNode (March 2023).
The paper proposes a European renewable supergrid to achieve decarbonisation goals, highlighting holistic grid planning, offshore grid development, and a new governance framework to effectively address institutional hurdles.
European Energy & Climate Journal (June, 2022).
This study examines DC fault dynamics in a meshed HVDC grid using high-temperature superconductor DC cables for offshore wind integration. Hybrid DC circuit breakers manage faults, with simulations validating the approach's feasibility in PSCAD/EMTDC
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery. (Vol 37, May 2022)
This study evaluates bidirectional 15 MW DC/DC converters for a series-connected 1 GW offshore wind farm using high-temperature superconductor cables, focusing on converter design, performance, and feasibility.
Electric Power Systems Research
Vol 202 (January 2022).
This project focuses on numerical modeling and analysis of superconducting cables for marine applications. It reviews current developments and proposes a new design methodology, highlighting potential uses in Ireland's offshore energy infrastructure.
MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and the Marine (2021).
The paper assesses the viability and advantages of using superconducting DC cables to connect large, distant offshore wind farms. Various energy conversion topologies are evaluated for efficiency and operational flexibility.
CIGRE International Symposium (Ljubljana 1st – 4th June 2021)
This paper explores integrating offshore wind farms with a HVDC system using HTS DC cables and MMC converters. It assesses system performance, focusing on handling fast DC fault transients and current limiting for cable faults.
IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion (July, 2021)