A TECHNOECONOMIC DESIGN STUDY OF HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTING POWER TRANSMISSION CABLES

The results of a comprehensive techno-economic design study of power t ransmission cables utilising High-Temperature Superconductors are pres ented. A cable design is described, based upon superconductors operati ng at liquid nitrogen temperatures. The dimensions and operating param eters of an optimized underground cable are calculated. Based on this design the manufacture, installation, losses and operating costs of an AC High-Temperature Superconducting (HTSC) Cable are estimated and co mpared with conventional underground cables for a new power link. Sign ificant conclusions of the study are: for transmitted powers greater t han 1 GVA the HTSC cable transmission costs become the same as for con ventional cables when the superconductor critical current density exce eds 200 kA/cm2 at liquid nitrogen temperature; the HTSC-based cable is capable of transmitting up to seven times as much power (to 700 MVA a t 66 kV) as a conventional cable in a 150 mm fixed diameter duct at th e same transmission cost.