Development and testing of a high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable for smart grid applications

Since the discovery of High Temperature Superconductivity (HTS) in 1986, HTS cables are being developed all over the world for efficient transfer of bulk electrical energy from power plants to distribution network at reduced transmission losses. In view of the benefits that can be obtained from usage of HTS cables in future power transmission systems, Applied Superconductivity Laboratory, IIT Kharagpur, in collaboration with Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bangalore has developed a superconducting cable carrying 1 kA current at low voltage. The HTS cable containing 2G YBCO HTS tapes (of width around 4 mm and thickness of 0.1 mm) as current carrying conductors, wound helically around a copper former, cooled by liquid nitrogen at 77 K is tested for superconductivity in a closed SS cryostat using an AC power supply and necessary measuring instruments (nano voltmeter, temperature controller). In the present paper, the voltage — current characteristic of the developed HTS cable, along with its detailed development procedure is presented.