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Superconductor is no more part of research world only. A project named Hydra will install superconducting power line under midtown New York. The objective, among others, is to build more resilient power grid capable of withstanding lightning strikes and even terrorist attacks. The first stage will connect two substations in Manhattan using high-temperature superconducting cabling by 2010.
Developed by American Superconductor, the lines will consist of several individual superconducting cables wrapped around a central tube filled with liquid nitrogen. This liquid nitrogen cools the cables until they experience zero electrical resistance, which allows them to carry up to 10 times more power than copper cabling of the same size. The temperature, despite the name “high-temperature,” is still about 43K (-230°C), much higher compared to temperatures required by other superconductors.
The superconducting wires are designed to automatically suppress surges that could otherwise cause damage equipment, thus is will prevent blackouts. Another scheme to prevent blackouts is by implementing various points on the power network. It means that, even if a particular substation goes down, power should be rerouted through another part of the network.
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