The first superconducting cables In collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and with support from the Danish companies - Copenhagen Energy, Elkraft, Eltra, NESA and DEFU - and the Danish Energy Authority’s Energy Research Programme, NKT Cables has been working on cable-related superconducting technology for a number of years. In May 2001 this led to the installation of the world’s first superconducting cable in a public electricity grid, as a 36 kV cable system entered into service at Copenhagen’s Amager substation. During the test period the cable has supplied power to the grid comprising some 50,000 households and businesses.
Southwire too has built up an extensive fund of experience and the power at Southwire’s factory in Carrollton is delivered via a superconducting cable system developed by the company in-house, now having operated for more than 2 years. The joint venture between NKT Cables and Southwire has very promising prospects when it comes to the realisation of superconducting cables to the commercial market.
