A French consortium wants to develop a demonstrator for electricity transmission by superconductivity

The demonstrator "would represent a major step forward in the transport of energy from offshore wind farms by adapting and simplifying part of the connection method to the electrical grid", say the partners of the industrial consortium for this project called "SupraMarine".

The phenomenon of superconductivity, discovered in 1911 by the Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, allows electric current to be conducted without energy loss. At very low temperatures (close to absolute zero, or -273,15°C), electrical resistance disappears, hence superconductivity.

"Superconducting cables, cooled by liquid nitrogen, carry electricity with an energy loss close to zero," emphasize Air Liquide, Nexans, the high-voltage network manager RTE and ITP Interpipe associated with the prestigious engineering school CentraleSupélec.

"Such a system would offer major advantages for the energy transition, by improving the competitiveness of offshore wind power installed far from the coast, compared to a direct current connection," as is the case today, they explain.

"It could thus contribute to developing the industrial sector of superconductivity, while also helping to reduce European dependence on imports of electronic equipment," they said.

The first tests of the demonstrator are planned by 2028. The SupraMarine project benefits from an allocation of 7,3 million euros and is financed by the State within the framework of France 2030 operated by Ademe, the Agency for the Environment and Energy Management.