China's first high temperature superconducting power cable project is to be incorporated in the Yunnan power grid at a power station situated in provincial capital Kunming. Innopower Superconductor Cable Co will lead the project, while Nexans will supply the electrical components and thermal insulation. The 30 metre long 3-phase cable, rated at 35 kV and 2 kA, will be installed in spring 2004.
A Nexans Cryoflex vacuum-insulated flexible cryogenic envelope will provide the insulation required to maintain the cable core at its operating temperature of about -200°C. The envelope consist of two concentric corrugated tubes made of stainless steel, separated by formers and layers of 'superinsulation', and is flexible enough to be handled like a cable. A molecular sieve guarantees the long-term vacuum. The envelopes will be assembled at the Nexans factory.
Dr Ying Xin, general manager of Innopower, commented that Nexans had been chosen because of its prominence in this technology and its long experience in the field. Innopower has a corporate agreement with Nexans to collaborate in developing HTS cable technology.
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