SuperLink will span 15 kilometers, with a power rating of 500 MW and a voltage level of 110 kV. The ongoing tests of the superconducting power cable system are expected to be completed in Q2 2025.
Oct 14, 2024
Established in 1981, NKT, a cable and cable accessories supplier to the energy sector, has inaugurated the test system of the world’s longest superconducting power cable system, SuperLink, in Munich, Germany.
SuperLink is an innovative superconducting power cable system designed for power-dense transmission, enabling the transfer of large amounts of electric power through a compact cable design.
Watch: RR Kabel | Solar Cables | Solar Plant | Renewable Energy
This milestone has been achieved through an innovative design process, continuous testing, and strong collaboration between project owner Stadtwerke München Infrastruktur, a subsidiary of the utility Stadtwerke München, and project partners, with NKT developing the innovative cable solution.
SuperLink will span 15 kilometers, with a power rating of 500 MW and a voltage level of 110 kV. The ongoing tests of the superconducting power cable system are expected to be completed in Q2 2025.
Anders Jensen, Chief Technology Officer, NKT, said, ‘‘The SuperLink project represents true innovation, where we are exploring new, exciting frontiers to leverage the potential of superconducting power cable technology at unprecedented voltage levels. We appreciate the collaboration with Stadtwerke München Infrastruktur and the other partners leading to the inauguration of the test system. This is an important pilot project demonstrating the potential of superconducting technology for optimised access to renewable energy in larger cities such as Munich.”
Also Read: Nexans Launches Cable Recycling and Recovery Service- CableLoop
“We plan to construct a 15-km high-voltage line between the main substation in Menzing and the southern energy site in Sendling. This innovative line will enhance the sustainability and climate-friendliness of SWM Infrastruktur’s power grid. Moreover, it will contribute to making power grids more efficient, stable, and climate-friendly beyond Munich’s city limits,” says Helge-Uve Braun, Technical Managing Director, Stadtwerke München.
To minimize construction work, SuperLink will be installed in very compact ducts. This system will deliver substantial power through a narrow corridor in Munich. The superconducting cable will be cooled to -200ºC using environmentally harmless nitrogen in a closed circuit. A cooling system with redundant back-up coolers will be an integral part of the setup.
