The role of high-temperature superconducting wires for the energy transition

For more than 20 years now, high-temperature superconducting wires have been developed industrially for use in the energy sector. They are the basis for highly efficient applications in the entire utilisation chain from energy generation, transport and storage to use and thus represent an important building block for the energy transition. However, only in recent years, driven by courageous companies in the field of nuclear fusion, have there been signs of a commercial breakthrough.

In this overview, I will show how high-temperature superconducting wires are manufactured, which applications are already benefiting from the superior properties of the conductors today and in which areas they will provide significant efficiency increases in the future. I will highlight the current hurdles in the dissemination of the technology as well as the enormous potential for decarbonising energy systems.