Possibility of a gas-cooled Peltier current lead in the 200 m-class superconducting direct current transmission and distribution system of CASER-2

Global energy problems should be solved quickly, and superconducting applications are highly demanded as energy saving technologies. Among them, long-distance superconducting transmission seems to be one of the most promising for energy saving by energy sharing. On the other hand, such large systems can be constructed from smaller network systems that can be enhanced by scaling up to the superconducting grid. Reducing heat leak to the low temperature end is the most important aspect of technology for practical superconducting applications, and heat leak reduction at the terminal is a key goal especially for small-length applications. At Chubu University, we have developed a 200 m-class superconducting direct current transmission and distribution system (CASER-2), in which we also used a Peltier current lead (PCL) as heat insulation at the terminal. PCL is composed of a thermoelectric material and a copper lead. In actual transmission and distribution applications, the cables are also cooled by the coolant. After the circulation, the coolant could also be used to cool the current lead. We will discuss the performance of such gas-cooled systems as the total performance of applied superconducting systems using the experimental parameters obtained in CASER-2. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of ISS Program Committee