Japanese University Opens World's First Lab to Study DC Power Transmission Using Superconductors

The world's first experimental facility to research direct current (DC) power transmission systems using superconductors was completed on the Kasugai campus of Chubu University, Aichi Prefecture, in January 2010. The 200-meter-long power lines use high-temperature superconductors whose transition temperature is above that of liquid nitrogen.

The Center of Applied Superconductivity & Sustainable Energy Research (CASER) established the facility, which was a research center set up at the university with the donations from Nano-Optonics Energy Inc. The university will conduct the academic research, while the company work on applications.

At distances of 300 kilometers or more, DC power transmission is more efficient and less expensive than alternating current (AC) power transmission. Professor Sakutaro Yamaguchi, the director of the center, expects that the application of superconductors -- which have a greater advantage in large DC power applications -- to long-distance power transmission enables power plants to be installed at suitable areas for solar or wind power, usually away from densely-populated areas. Furthermore, he added that electricity could be globally sent by day and night using this technology.

Low-Power Superconducting Network Device Test a Success (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026737.html
Chubu University official website
http://www.chubu.ac.jp/english/
Global power grids based on superconducting power transmission system　(Chubu University YAMAGUCHU Laboratory)
http://www.chubu.ac.jp/english/about/research/
closeup/yamaguchi01/

Posted: 2010/05/22 06:00:15 AM

TAG Technology , University/Research institute