Requirements for Feasibility of Superconducting Cables as studied in the CableGnosis Project

The present paper discusses requirements for Superconducting (SC) cables to qualify being considered for implementation in grids. It first discusses how the present grid is based on copper and aluminium properties and how other options for hierarchy can considered with SC conductors. SC cables are to be evaluated by their specific properties being very high current density, compactness, thermal harmlessness to its surroundings and practical absence of external magnetic fields. This results in a particularly narrow Right of Way (RoW) and high transmission capacity. Considering the social costs of grid congestions and the potential mitigation employing SC cables for (high) power links at medium or high voltage levels, SC cables may prove to be a suitable and affordable solution to bypass…