ver 3,000 gigawatts of renewable energy are waiting in line to connect to power grids across the world – the equivalent to five
times the solar and wind capacity added to the global network in 2022. But with this clean energy ready to use, the issue is connecting it to grids. Grids were built decades ago, and electricity
demand is growing faster than the infrastructure designed to carry it. So it’s not enough just to generate clean power, it must be moved efficiently, safely and at scale. That is where a grid revolution is quietly taking shape, powered by superconducting technology.
Over-reliance on outdated infrastructure that can’t deliver energy where needed can threaten climate progress and energy security. Yesterday’s grids were built for centralised, predictable generation and stable demand. Today’s energy landscape is decentralised, digital and dynamic. In New York, for example, grid operators are
still running systems that are half a century old and operating close to their limits. New loads from electric vehicles, heat pumps and distributed generation are pushing those networks beyond their design capacity. But, replacing them with conventional power cables is expensive and complex, especially in crowded urban areas. Meanwhile, the lack of capacity to move
renewable energy from remote generation sites to centres of demand is a concern in rural areas. In both cases, conventional cabling has reached its
limits. If we are to meet the scale of electrification required, we need a fundamentally new approach to power transmission and distribution networks.
High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) cables represent a new approach. Operating at around -200˚C, superconducting materials achieve a state in which electricity flows with virtually zero resistance. That means minimal energy loss during transmission, no heat generation and no electromagnetic interference. Thanks to their compact design, they can be
laid in narrower corridors or retrofitted into existing underground conduits. Furthermore, their exceptional transmission capacity makes it possible to transmit electricity at lower voltages thanks to higher ampers, but transmitting the same power. In addition, bringing power into cities at a lower voltage reduces the need for step down transformers. Superconducting cables can carry high current
density and therefore deliver more power at much lower voltages than conventional cables, while consuming fewer resources and reducing the power transmission losses. They require less excavation and shorter installation times, and with reduced material usage and near-zero electrical losses, they contribute to lower emissions and a smaller environmental footprint, whilst ensuring economic sustainability and performance. Fully shielded and immune to electromagnetic interference, buried superconducting cables
provide significantly greater electrical system resilience than overhead lines, which are fully exposed to weather-related risks such as storms and wildfires, and are not to potential damages and vandalism. For cities struggling with space and ageing networks, superconducting systems make it possible to build smarter, denser grids without tearing up streetsorexpanding underground networks. The rise of the digital economy is creating enormous pressure on electrical infrastructure. Data centres, which underpin digital transformation, are expanding rapidly. New hyperscale facilities are being designed for power capacities of five gigawatts or higher, and traditional copper-based systems simply cannot scale fast enough to support these needs. Thanks to their ultra-high current capacity and
a compact footprint, HTS systems can deliver reliable power to data centres without excessive heat generation or energy waste. They simplify infrastructure design, reduce operational costs and help operators meet sustainability goals. Superconducting technology also enhances
grid resilience. Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (SFCLs) can instantly contain dangerous fault currents without complex control systems. They provide automatic protection during short circuits and overloads, safeguarding equipment such as transformers and switchgears, thus protecting critical parts of the network infrastructure in smart cities – stabilising and optimising grids as power demand increases. By enabling the network to handle power
from any source, anywhere, superconducting technology supports the integration of distributed renewables, storage systems and demand-response solutions.
Superconducting technology is ready for large- scale deployment. The physics is proven, the materials are mature and the business case has never been stronger. The question is no longer whether superconductors will revolutionise the grid, but how quickly utilities, governments and investors will seize the opportunity. A fast-growing market demand comes from
AI data centres. Those intensive electrical assets require several MW of power if not GW. Superconducting cables are not just a technical upgrade, as they fundamentally enable the future model of hyperscale, AI-driven, high-density, sustainable data centres. Superconducting cables enable ten times more power capacity in limited space, eliminate resistive heating and
energy losses, reduce CO2 emissions through high efficiency, support long-distance high- density power delivery, and enhance reliability with built-in fault limiting. Adopting superconducting will enable
sustainable urban growth, stronger energy resilience and greater public confidence in the transition to clean power. When optimised, it can deliver a grid that is not only more efficient but also more adaptable, and fully ready for the era of decentralised, modular and data driven energy systems, whilst enabling more efficient integration of renewable energy sources.
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