Citation

Forsyth EB. Energy 1976; 1(2): 111-122.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0360-5442(76)90010-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The development of bulk electricity transmission systems must be considered in the light of changing growth rates, increasing resistance to EHV overhead transmission and the tendency to concentrate generation in fewer sites. Helium-cooled, or superconducting, cables possess technical characteristics which will make them suitable as utility network components for power transmission over distances of ten to several hundred miles. These properties are illustrated by considering two applications in existing electrical networks. The first is a 43 mile system to transmit 4800 MVA and the second is a potential application under study in Pennsylvania to transmit 10,000 MVA over a distance of 350 miles or so. Helium-cooled versions of these transmission systems were designed to permit technical and economic evaluations.

The major groups and institutions throughout the world engaged in the development of helium-cooled cables are listed and aspects of the technical approaches are briefly described.