Air Liquide, Nexans, RTE and partners launch SupraMarine HTS subsea HVAC demonstrator
- SupraMarine will develop a liquid-nitrogen-cooled high-temperature superconducting (HTS) HVAC subsea transmission demonstrator.
- Testing of the demonstrator is planned by 2028.
- The project received a €7.3 million grant and is funded by the French State under France 2030 operated by ADEME.
- Consortium partners are Air Liquide, CentraleSupélec (GeePs), ITP Interpipe, Nexans and RTE, each assigned cryogenics, research, cryostat design, cable development and grid-integration roles respectively.
Project scope
SupraMarine will study an electrical connection between offshore wind farms and the coastline using High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) cables cooled by liquid nitrogen. The demonstrator targets a High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) superconducting power transmission system able to transport electricity with near-zero energy loss.
Expected benefits
The consortium positions the HVAC superconducting solution as a way to improve the competitiveness of offshore wind power installed far from shore versus direct current connections, simplify part of the grid connection and support the development of a European superconductivity industrial sector while sourcing most materials from Europe.
Consortium roles
Air Liquide will supply Turbo-Brayton cryogenic plants, run thermal-performance studies and oversee cryogenic operations. CentraleSupélec (GeePs) will contribute experimental platforms and doctoral research to address scientific barriers. ITP Interpipe will design the insulated rigid pipe-in-pipe cryostat envelope. Nexans will develop the HVAC superconducting cables, junctions and terminations. RTE will provide grid-operator insights for real-world integration requirements.
Schedule and funding
Testing of the demonstrator is planned by 2028. The project was awarded a €7.3 million grant and is funded by the French State as part of France 2030 operated by ADEME.
Source: Air Liquide
