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Making Superconducting power grids a feasible solution for Europe

Project description

Greening Europe’s power transmission

Europe’s push for electrification and decarbonisation demands efficient power transmission across vast distances. However, current high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) grids record significant energy losses – 50GW over a 75,000 km pan-European grid. This is equivalent to the output of 50 power plants. In this context, the EIC-funded SUBRACABLE project offers a revolutionary solution: high-temperature superconductor (HTS) cables. These cables drastically reduce energy losses by 90 %, cut copper usage by 99 %, and lower transmission costs by 75 %. With no length limitations and the possibility of underground installation, HTS cables provide a sustainable, and efficient alternative to traditional power lines, paving the way for Europe’s green energy future.

Objective

Power transmission is a critical step in electrifying and decarbonizing Europe. The construction of cross-continental grids for transmitting large amounts of power over very long distances has become strategic. But using current cables made with standard conductors entail prohibitive energy losses in such grids: 50GW would be wasted in a pan-European 75.000km 10GW High-Voltage Direct-Current (HVDC) grid, equal to the electricity produced by 50 power plants.
SUBRA, a spin-off from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), has developed and patented a solution which will revolutionise European grids by mass producing High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) power cables, with superior properties, no limitation in length, and at an affordable price. This represents a ground-breaking option allowing: 90% reduction of energy losses; 99% reduction of copper required; 75% reduction of Levelized Cost of Transmission (LCoT); and using small underground lines rather than overhead lines.

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Coordinator

SUBRA A/S
Net EU contribution
€ 2 497 491,50
Address
BYGMARKEN 4
3520 Farum
Denmark

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Danmark Hovedstaden Nordsjælland
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 3 567 845,00