Conference creates buzz for superconductivity

Bridging the information gap

To celebrate the centenary of the discovery of superconductivity (by Dutch Nobel laureate, Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, in 1911) , Nexans organized on 6 December a half-day forum for users and grid designers to explore superconductor technologies and demonstrate their application to the transmission/distribution of energy. 

Cross-fertilization of needs and ideas

The forum aimed at presenting to major customers the latest developments in cables and fault limiters, creating a dialogue to learn more about their actual grid needs, and to demystify the perceived complexity of superconductivity. Through cross-fertilization of practice and theory, it allowed Nexans and its customers to envision the grids of tomorrow.

Empowering grid intelligence

After discussing with customers and colleagues, we concluded that knowledge about superconductivity and its applications was often partial and riddled with misapprehensions and misunderstandings. This pioneering conference, organized and run by Nexans, united famous academics with grid managers and developers, people who seldom get a chance to meet face-to-face. Not only was the program broad in scope, it ended with a roundtable discussion on “introducing superconductivity into ever more intelligent energy networks.”

From levitation to electrification

During 2011, many conferences were organized in France to celebrate the century-old discovery of superconductivity. However, they were often overly academic or used spectacular theatrical props, like levitation, to impress the audience. Although levitation is interesting, it has few industrial applications at present. Whereas superconductivity in energy networks is a high-tech industrial activity which is being driven by a small number of innovative companies, with Nexans among the leaders. The conference is putting major francophone energy players right in the center of the superconductivity playing field.