American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) has been selected by the US department of energy to provide it. The 138kV, 600m link will be the world's first installation of a superconductor cable in a live grid at transmission voltages. The DoE sees the project as a working prototype, ultimately to be incorporated permantly in the grid, that will advance the technology and encourage similar systems elsewhere.
The link will be located underground in an existing right of way in East Garden City, Long Island. At 600 MW it will be an integral part of the LIPA grid and is expected to be installed and operating by the end of 2005. Superconductor cables typically carry three- to five-times more power than conventional cables of the same size and can be installed in existing rights of way -- helping reduce the cost and environmental impact of grid upgrades in a congested area.
The superconductor cable will be manufactured by Nexans using HTS wire manufactured by AMSC in its new facility in Devens, MA. – the world's first commercial volume HTS manufacturing plant. Air Liquide will provide refrigeration equipment and oversee operation of the cryogenic cooling system for the cable system.
The DoE will provide approximately $15 million of the $30 million cost of the project.
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