Energy Transmission: Super Efficient Power Lines

Power cables used for transferring electricity from power stations to the end user are made of copper, making them thick and prone to power loss due to resistance. Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. has developed a superconductive cable that can carry up to 200 times as much power as copper cable and has no electrical resistance which will prevent energy from being wasted. The new cable halves the amount of power loss experienced by conventional types of power cables. The manufacturer hopes to put the cable into actual use and initiate sales by the end of 2006.

From May 2006, the superconductive cables will be used on a trial basis in Albany, New York State. If successful the cables could be used to replace America's power grid by 2030. Other countries could implement this technology too when replacing grid infrastructure.

For more details see http://www.sei.co.jp