Nexans installs and commissions superconducting cable for Chicago’s Resilient Electric Grid project

• Nexans continues world leadership in superconductivity with groundbreaking high-power medium voltage cable technology.
• Superconductor cable systems play a key role in protecting power grids against extreme weather and other catastrophic events.

Paris, September 2, 2021 – Nexans announced today it has installed and commissioned a high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable for grid system provider American Superconductor (AMSC) in the next phase of the Resilient Electric Grid (REG) project in Chicago. The medium voltage (MV) cable was deployed in a permanent installation in Chicago.

AMSC and one of the largest electric utilities in the US, partnered to enhance resiliency of Chicago’s electric grid. The project is part of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s ongoing Science and Technology Directorate’s initiative. The REG superconducting cable system helps prevent power outages and blackouts by interconnecting and sharing excess energy capacity from nearby substations, and by preventing high fault currents in urban areas.

Nexans has successfully deployed cable designs in the past, such as cabling used in the AmpaCity project in Essen, Germany, a 1km HTS cable to reinforce the medium voltage power network serving the city.

The HTS cable and the connection for the REG system were manufactured at Nexans’ specialized superconductor facility in Hanover, Germany. The two terminations were designed at Nexans’ Calais plant. AMSC is managing the project and has provided the liquid nitrogen refrigeration system, in addition to the Amperium HTS wire.