From Douglas Kell, University of Wales
Paul Grant’s fascinating article showed just what can be achieved by
superconducting electricity transmission cables
(13 October, p 36).
This a vital technology, not least for large-scale renewable-energy projects, in
which the site of power generation is often a long way from towns and cities.
However, Grant fails to mention the one big problem: if the refrigeration
pump fails, or the cable breaks, you lose superconductivity. Dropping several
hundred kilovolts across what would then be a substantial resistance would have
explosive results.
Aberystwyth
