Investor appetite for technology stocks has seen the value of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cable companies soar recently. The revival has been brought about by a combination of factors. According to analysts, the competitive market, higher energy prices and increasing demand, coupled with environmental and reliability concerns, have initiated the bullish market.
A number of HTS trials are underway in the USA, including one by Intermagnetics General Corp. Three roughly 30 metre supercondicting cables are transmitting power at the HQ of Intermagntics’ partner, Southwire Co. Furthermore, Intermagnetics has launched a new business unit which will concentrate exclusively on developing HTS for the power transmission and electric utility markets.
Observers suggest that commercial application of HTS in the power business is only three to five years away.
