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(Carrollton, Ga. February 18, 2000) What once was science fiction became reality today as Southwire Company dedicated the world's first high-temperature superconductor (HTS) power delivery system to provide power for industrial use. The system, which includes a trio of 100-foot HTS power distribution cables, provides electricity to three Southwire manufacturing plants in Carrollton, Ga. It is the first time a company has made the difficult transition from laboratory testing to a practical field application. "As the global population continues to boom and the world economy grows, those involved in the distribution of electricity will have to explore new ways of delivering power to blossoming customer bases," said Roy Richards, Jr., Southwire's chief executive officer. "Southwire is proud to play a role in the development of one of those alternatives." Helping Richards throw a series of switches activating the system were U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson and Georgia Governor Roy Barnes. "This is an exciting step toward the first practical deployment of superconducting technology, which promises to do for electric transmission what fiber optics is doing for communication," Richardson said. "These cables, developed through a partnership with the Energy Department and the private sector, will move large amounts of electricity using the same space or less space than traditional cable, increasing energy efficiency, enhancing grid reliability and reducing costs for businesses and consumers." "This announcement is another example of Georgia's leadership in technology," Barnes said. Nearly immune to resistance, superconducting power cables lose only about a half-percent of power during transmission, compared to 5 to 8 percent lost by traditional power cables. HTS cables also deliver more power, about three to five times more power than traditional power cables. As the rapid growth of urban areas increases demand for electricity, while limiting the space for overhead and underground cable installations, the ability of HTS cables to transmit more power using the same amount of space as traditional cable will be increasingly important. While they will not replace overhead lines, HTS cables can be used underground in areas where more power is needed but space for additional lines is not available. HTS cables also could be used to construct power distribution rings around moderate-sized cities, where lower-capacity cables could tap in and carry power to customers throughout the community. "For years, superconductors have represented the promise of more energy-efficient and cost-effective electrical power delivery," Richards said. "The live installation of this HTS system is a giant step forward in making that promise a reality." Southwire's partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, which has co-funded the project, and Oak Ridge and Argonne national laboratories. Industrial partners include Intermagnetics General Corporation and EURUS Technologies, Inc. Electrical utility partners include Southern Company, Georgia Transmission Corporation and Southern California Edison. The world market for HTS materials is estimated to be $30 billion by the year 2020. "The installation of these load-bearing cables make Southwire one of the world leaders in superconducting technology development," said R.L. Hughey, Southwire's superconductor project manager. "We're proud of this groundbreaking achievement and we're excited about being able to bring our customers the benefit of this leading-edge technology that will be capable of handling the power demands of the new century." With annual sales of US$1.4
billion, Southwire Company is one of the leading wire and cable
manufacturers. Southwire technologies and products, including building
wire and cable, copper and aluminum rod and utility cable products,
are distributed to countries worldwide. Southwire's world headquarters
is in Carrollton, Ga., USA, about 40 miles west of Atlanta. Founded
in 1950 by Roy Richards, Sr., the company will celebrate its 50th
anniversary in March. |
