Superconductivity in the Electric Power System
Alfredo Álvarez, Pilar Suárez, Belén Rivera, Belén Pérez Lab. “Benito Mahedero” of Electrical Applications of Superconductors Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Extremadura Avda. Elvas s/n. Badajoz (Spain) 2025-07-25

Abstract

Superconductivity is a state of certain materials inwhich they lose resistivity (they become perfect conductors) and expel any magnetic field from within (they become perfect diamagnetic).

Both properties make superconductors an ideal candidate for use in electrical applications, despite the drawback that the superconducting state only appears when its temperature drops below a certain critical temperature. which, in the best case, is not higher than 77K (−196°C).

Nevertheless, many specific superconductivity applications have been put into service (as particle colliders or MRI scanners) and many others are under development in different maturity levels (TRL). In this group there are some of the more interesting electrical applications as cables, energy storage, or fault current limiters.
This article presents a brief explanation of the principles of superconductivity for a better understanding of its applications in general, and electrical applications in particular. Then, a review of the state of the art of the most interesting superconducting devices for the electrical power system is presented, as well as some possible future consequences of the use of this technology.

Key words: Superconductor, superconductivity applications, electrical applications of superconductivity.

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