Breakthrough Applications of Superconducting Materials in Energy Transmission

Abstract

Superconducting materials, with their zero resistance and high current density characteristics, offer a revolutionary solution to the bottleneck of energy transmission losses. This article systematically reviews the technical potential of superconducting materials in energy transmission, commercialization challenges, and innovative applications in distributed energy. Firstly, analyze the zero-resistance effect of superconducting cables, the Meissner effect, and their performance comparison with traditional copper cables. Then, the commercialization bottlenecks are revealed from three aspects: cooling costs, material processing, and temperature limitations. Finally, a modular integrated architecture for superconducting - energy storage is proposed, such as using SMES to stabilize wind power fluctuations, and its engineering value is verified in combination with scenarios like offshore wind power and superconducting current limiters. Studies have shown that superconducting technology holds strategic significance in enhancing power transmission efficiency and facilitating the integration of renewable energy. However, it is necessary to overcome the technical barriers in material preparation and system integration. In the future, efforts should be focused on exploring room-temperature superconductivity, optimizing the economic efficiency of cooling technologies, and achieving coordinated control of smart grids, in order to promote the large-scale implementation of superconducting energy transmission.