Prospects for application of high temperature superconductors to electric power networks

A growing R&D activity is presently devoted to large scale applications of high temperature superconductors. A large part of these studies is motivated by prospects of substitution to conventional network equipment such as power cables, transformers and rotating machines using room temperature conductors. Superconductivity could also be used for the development of new devices like fault current limiters, allowing improved power quality, system reliability and flexibility. In this paper, a review is given of the opportunities and problems related to these various developments, as seen by an electric utility. Experience acquired from collaborative prototype development by EDF and various partners will be presented. A particular emphasis is put on electric network requirements and their specific consequences on the economic comparison between conventional and superconducting equipment. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.