Preliminary analysis of performance and cost of high temperature superconducting power transmission cables

After reviewing the technical performances and the initial economic assessment, based on a preliminary estimate of the expected cost of high temperature superconducting (HTSC) wires, the effect of the HTSC conductor cost on the economics of the power system is analysed, and associated breakeven values are evaluated for the current performance. These targets are taken as a reference for comparison with the state of the art of HTSC wires and for the evaluation of the specific progress required for developing economic applications.