Air Liquide, CentraleSupélec, ITP Interpipe, Nexans and RTE have formed a consortium to develop a High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) superconducting power transmission system demonstrator.
The SupraMarine project will study the electrical connection between offshore wind farms and the coastline using High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) cables. Superconducting cables, cooled by liquid nitrogen, transport electricity with near-zero energy loss.
Such a system would offer major advantages for the energy transition by improving the competitiveness of offshore wind power installed far from the coast, compared to a direct current connection. It could thus contribute to developing the industrial sector of superconductivity, while helping to reduce Europe’s dependence on imports of electronic equipment.
The cutting-edge technology demonstrator would represent a breakthrough in energy transmission from offshore wind farms by adapting and simplifying part of the electrical grid connection. The SupraMarine project would offer an alternative solution to the growing offshore wind energy supply chain challenges, while sourcing most of its materials from Europe. The project is key to developing a subsea superconducting system, which will ultimately strengthen the competitiveness of offshore wind energy far from the coast.