Energy-efficient Superconducting Cable for Future Technologies
March 21, 2019 | KITEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
For connecting wind parks, for DC supply on ships, or for lightweight and compact high-current cabling in future electric airplanes: scientists of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a versatile superconducting cable that can be manufactured easily. In case of moderate cooling, it transports electric energy with hardly any losses.
Superconductors transport electrical current at low temperatures with hardly any losses – this makes them attractive for a number of energy-efficient technologies. Usually, however, they require cooling with liquid helium to a temperature near minus 269 degrees Celsius. A new cable made by KIT, the High-temperature Superconductor Cross Conductor (HTS CroCo) can be used at minus 196 degrees Celsius already. “This is due to the special material we use,” say Dr. Walter Fietz and Dr. Michael Wolf of KIT’s Institute for Technical Physics (ITEP). The material is rare-earth barium-copper oxide (REBCO for short), whose superconductivity has been known since 1987. However, long lengths of the superconductor can only be manufactured in the form of thin tapes. “We have developed a method where several REBCO tapes are arranged such that they form a cross. The resulting cable can transport very high currents,” Fietz says.
The HTS CroCo has a higher current-carrying capacity, but needs less space and has a smaller weight than conventional copper or aluminum cables. Manufacture of the cable also is highly efficient. The innovative manufacturing process developed by KIT combines several steps. “Currently, we reach a production speed of one meter per minute on the demonstration scale,” Wolf says. At an accordingly scaled industrial facility, cable lengths of several hundred meters and more might be feasible, which will reduce costs. As the superconducting layer carrying the high current measures only a few thousandths of a millimeter, material expenses are kept within reasonable limits. ”Mass production still is prevented by the high costs for the complex manufacture of REBCO tapes,” Wolf says, “but industry is already developing new processes to reduce costs.”
CroCo is suited for energy-efficient generation of high magnetic fields and for transporting large amounts of electric energy. In future, these cables might be used to integrate large wind parks or solar power plants into the grid and to design leaner “electricity highways”. If liquid hydrogen is used for cooling, CroCo can even transport chemical and electrical energy together. “In principle, a CroCo can be applied wherever space is limited, but the amount of electrical energy to be transported is high,” Fietz says. Hence, application in ships and even in future electric airplanes is feasible.
Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association“, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility and information. For this, about 9,300 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 25,100 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life.
Suggested Items
The Chemical Connection: Reducing Etch System Water Usage, Part 2
05/02/2024 | Don Ball -- Column: The Chemical ConnectionIn my last column, I reviewed some relatively simple ways to reduce water usage in existing etch systems: cutting down cooling coil water flow, adding chillers to replace plant water for cooling, lowering flow rate nozzles for rinses, etc. This month, I’ll continue with more ways to control water usage in your etcher. Most of these are not easily retrofittable to existing equipment but should be given serious consideration when new equipment is contemplated. With the right combination of add-ons, it is possible to bring the amount of water used in an etch system to almost zero.
Designer’s Notebook: What Designers Need to Know About Manufacturing, Part 2
04/24/2024 | Vern Solberg -- Column: Designer's NotebookThe printed circuit board (PCB) is the primary base element for providing the interconnect platform for mounting and electrically joining electronic components. When assessing PCB design complexity, first consider the component area and board area ratio. If the surface area for the component interface is restricted, it may justify adopting multilayer or multilayer sequential buildup (SBU) PCB fabrication to enable a more efficient sub-surface circuit interconnect.
Insulectro’s 'Storekeepers' Extend Their Welcome to Technology Village at IPC APEX EXPO
04/03/2024 | InsulectroInsulectro, the largest distributor of materials for use in the manufacture of PCBs and printed electronics, welcomes attendees to its TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE during this year’s IPC APEX EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center, April 9-11, 2024.
ENNOVI Introduces a New Flexible Circuit Production Process for Low Voltage Connectivity in EV Battery Cell Contacting Systems
04/03/2024 | PRNewswireENNOVI, a mobility electrification solutions partner, introduces a more advanced and sustainable way of producing flexible circuits for low voltage signals in electric vehicle (EV) battery cell contacting systems.
Heavy Copper PCBs: Bridging the Gap Between Design and Fabrication, Part 1
04/01/2024 | Yash Sutariya, Saturn Electronics ServicesThey call me Sparky. This is due to my talent for getting shocked by a variety of voltages and because I cannot seem to keep my hands out of power control cabinets. While I do not have the time to throw the knife switch to the off position, that doesn’t stop me from sticking screwdrivers into the fuse boxes. In all honesty, I’m lucky to be alive. Fortunately, I also have a talent for building high-voltage heavy copper circuit boards. Since this is where I spend most of my time, I can guide you through some potential design for manufacturability (DFM) hazards you may encounter with heavy copper design.