Use Case & Market Development of Superconducting Technologies

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 August 2024

31 May 2025

ENA months

£235,100

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

The project seeks to identify and quantify the baseline barriers to the adoption of HTS technologies, a realistic CBA for the use of HTS technologies, and looking at both the short-term and long-term viability of such technologies. The end goal is to develop a roadmap to roll out HTS technologies where viable. The work will be mainly desk-based, with a series of face-to-face meetings, with multiple stakeholders to understand the full asset lifecycle.This project focuses on the development, deployment, and through-life management of high temperature superconductors (HTS) technology for power transmission. It aims to identify challenges associated with HTS technology and engage stakeholders to gather insights and experiences. A literature review will be conducted, covering external markets, funding, supply chain analysis, skills gaps, end-of-life considerations, and wider system barriers. Stakeholder engagement will involve interviews, data requests, and workshops to gain perspectives on HTS technology, with a workshop conducted to discuss initial findings and use case development.The project will define short-term and long-term use cases for overhead line (OHL) and cable systems, drawing from previous HTS projects, findings from Workstream 1, and stakeholder input. Specific applications of these use cases on the GB network will be identified, considering parameters such as cable length, power, voltage, peripherals, and geographical constraints. Cost estimates for conventional and HTS network upgrade projects will be developed, including capital expenditure, development expenditure, and operational expenditure. The viability of HTS across the current and future GB network will be assessed, taking into account factors such as net-zero targets.The project will be conducting a road mapping exercise to define a detailed route to business-as-usual (BAU) for HTS deployment. Gaps that need to be addressed before HTS rollout can occur will be identified, and the roadmap will be refined based on developed use cases and specific instances of HTS deployment. The project will deliver a comprehensive Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) document, including findings, analysis, recommendations, use cases, associated costs, and cost-benefit analysis. It will also present a roadmap for HTS deployment and provide final reporting of all project results. This project aims to provide an enhanced understanding of the transmission network infrastructure upgrade use cases for high temperature superconductors (HTS) technologies and associated cost-benefit assessments. The project is scoped into three workstreams (WSs).WS1 - Baseline Barriers to Adoption.Literature Review of Assests LifecycleStakeholder EngagementWS2 Develop use cases & CBADefine Short-Term & Long-Term HTS Use CasesDefine Costs & Develop Cost ModelsUnderstanding Wider ImpactsWS3 - RoadmapDevelop HTS RoadmapFinal Report Develop CBA for given HTS scenarios to ascertain whether future development & investment is warrantedDevelop an increased understanding of viable short term and long term HTS use casesDefine a route to BAU for HTS technology highlighting key actions and decision pointsDevelop an in-depth understanding of HTS and share the learning with all relevant business units and networks

The current energy transition will require the electrification of many energy demand sources, along with a corresponding increase in low-carbon electricity generation. Estimates indicate that by 2030 the UK needs to build 5x as much new electricity transmission infrastructure as has been built in the past 30 years. High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) technology is not currently being used in HV networks across the UK. This project will seek to evaluate the feasibility of HTS technology by defining short-term and long-term use cases for overhead line (OHL) and cable systems as well as delivering a detailed plan for route to business as usual for HTS deployment.

09/04/25