SuperLink 150 m Demo and Large-Scale Perspective

The The SuperLink project has developed a 110 kV, 500 MVA high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cable system for urban grid reinforcement. It aims to provide a commercially attractive and compact HTS cable solution. A full-scale 150 m demonstration system was installed and operated for 6 months in Munich, Germany, showcasing the cable’s reliability, compactness, and performance. The cable features intrinsic compensation for axial thermal contraction, low AC loss, and minimal cryostat heat inleak. This paper presents the technical development, qualification testing, the cooling configuration and operational results such as coolant temperatures at various locations within the cable loop during a variety of load scenarios, steady currents, pulses and daily load cycles. Finally, it discusses the implications for large-scale deployment in urban grids as determined by simulation of the full 110 kV city-wide grid of Munich.