Recent superconducting cable installation in Chicago paves the way for a resilient electric grid (REG)

For many years, Superconductor Cables have been considered a potentially powerful new tool for electric utility engineers. Since the 1986 discovery of High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials that can be economically cooled with inexpensive liquid nitrogen, the utility industry has been highly interested in the technology. Numerous demonstrators and pilot projects have demonstrated that the HTS technology provides significant and unmatched benefits and is quite reliable as up to 7 years of continuous operation have already been proven. In Summer of 2021, the first permanent self-healing HTS system installation in North America was successfully commissioned in the Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) grid in Chicago. This 200-meter cable with concentric phases was designed for 3000 A@12 kV (62 MVA) and tested according to IEC 63075 standard dedicated to AC superconducting cables. This project is a prelude to a larger superconducting link envisioned to connect ComEd substations, increasing the reliability. This project represents what we believe to be a critical asset for utilities in helping them deal with an evolving and more complex distribution grid. The proliferation of renewable and distributed generation, vehicle electrification, and physical and accidental threats to grid integrity have exacerbated stress to the electric grid.