LS C&S launches world‘s first superconducting cable project

LS Cable & System, the nation’s largest power transmission cable-maker, said Wednesday that it has started the verification test of its superconducting direct current cable in the smart grid demonstration site, run by Korea Electric Power Corp. on Jejudo Island.

The move came after it had completed the installation of an 80 kilovolt- superconducting DC cable in the grid within the KEPCO site last month. 

“The company launched the pilot project for the superconducting DC cable for the first time in the world and the system will be run for the next six months,’’ the company said in a press release.

“The test-launch helps LS Cable & System become recognized as a top-tier player in the next-generation power transmission market.”

LS C&S produced an alternating current superconducting cable in 2004, following rivals in Denmark, the U.S. and Japan. Then, the company developed its DC superconducting cable last year. LS C&S is the only company in the world having both AC and BC cable technologies, the company said. 

According to the Korea Industries Confederation for Commercialization of Superconductivity, the superconducting power cable market, which is still in its infant stages, is expected to grow to be worth $44.9 billion by 2050.

Superconducting power cables have attracted investors’ attention, as they are smaller but offering larger transmission volume than copper cables. It also has no electricity loss during transmission.

“The superconducting cable is no longer a ‘dream cable.’ Related multi-billion won projects are being deployed in around 10 countries, including the U.S. and China as well as Korea,” LS Cable & System CEO Koo Ja-eun said.

Superconductors are highly usable in congested urban areas where power demand is on the rise, even though underground space for cables is already saturated with cable tunnels and conduits, the company added.

By Seo Jee-yeon (jyseo@heraldcorp.com)