Credit: CERN
In the framework of the High-Luminosity LHC project, experts from the CERN Superconductors team recently obtained a world-record current of 20 kA at 24 K in an electrical transmission line consisting of two 20-metre long cables made of magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor.
This result makes the technology a viable solution for long-distance power transportation.
"The cables and associated technologies were designed, developed and tested at CERN."
"The superconducting wire is the result of a long R&D effort that started in 2008 between CERN and the manufacturer, Columbus Superconductors in Genova, Italy."
The result was achieved at a temperature of 24 K (about -249 ˚C) using a test station that was purpose-designed and assembled at CERN.
The temperature is kept homogeneous over the 20-metre length of the line by a forced flow of helium gas.
Following intense development, the full 2 x 20-metre long MgB2 superconducting line was successfully powered to the world-record current of 20 kA, showing that this technology has great potential for the transmission of electrical power.
The superconducting properties of this relatively cheap material were discovered in 2001, but conductor technology only existed in the form of tape.
Round wire, which is more appropriate for assembling into high-current cables, was not available when the CERN project started.
"First, it was necessary to develop quality round wires adapted for use in this project, with high current density and uniform superconducting properties," says Ballarino.
"This work was done through a close collaboration between CERN and Columbus Superconductors, which manufactured different generations of wires with different architectures and with improved properties. In parallel, we at CERN developed the high-current cables and the electrical transmission line."
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