Applications of superconductors in electric utility systems

Superconductors hold a level of attractiveness for electric utility applications because they can carry large electrical current densities with no or with very small electric power dissipation. Achievable current densities are large enough that it is possible, using superconductors, to produce magnetic flux densities higher than those required to saturate iron. This holds out the prospect for improving the energy conversion density and efficiency of electric machines, transformers and electric power transmission lines. In addition entirely new applications for superconductors have been invented in the past few decades, including magnetic energy storage (SMES) and fault current limiters. This paper gives a brief survey of developments leading to demonstrations of some of these applications