In early December, DNV GL, a Norway-based, internationally accredited registrar and classification society, awarded SuperNode Limited, a Dublin-based global technology development company that designs and delivers superconducting connection systems to connect renewable generation sources, increase grid interconnection in mature markets and decarbonize the electricity system, with a Statement of Feasibility for its “Subsea Superconducting Cable System” concept. This innovative technology will play a vital role in connecting the amounts of offshore wind required for decarbonization of the whole energy system.

Using electricity at very high, direct current is the most efficient way to transport energy on the planet. Superconducting cable systems allow higher currents and hence more power to flow on a single line. This enables very large offshore wind developments to be phased, grouped and networked to deliver more clean energy faster.

The Statement of Feasibility is a key achievement for the technical team at SuperNode and underpins the potential for new technologies to transform the global energy system via the grid.

Eoin Hodge, SuperNode CTO, said,“The DNV GL Statement of Feasibility for SuperNode’s Subsea Superconducting Cable System was issued to SuperNode this week, a ‘world first’ for a subsea superconducting transmission system. The Statement is issued subsequent to a detailed technical examination of SuperNode’s technology concept and technology development program by a team of technical experts across DNV GL, the world’s leading marine and energy technology certification, risk and quality assessment body, providing the gold standard in technology development advisory and technology qualification programs.

Hodge continued: “The next steps for the engineering team are to develop our scale prototype in 2021 and continue improving the design of our breakthrough technology. We are very excited by the opportunity to solve the challenges ahead.”

“DNV GL has completed the initial phase of the technology qualification process on the Subsea Superconducting Cable System and has issued a Statement of Feasibility. The multi-disciplined team of experts developed a technology qualification plan that will guide the future development, reducing risks and uncertainties, improving confidence and enabling faster adoption by the industry. DNV GL looks forward to a continued close cooperation with SuperNode in the next steps in the qualification process,” added Claudio Bittencourt Ferreira, BD Director—Renewables Certification, Wave and Tidal at DNV GL.

SuperNode’s superconducting technology solves one of the primary issues posed by conventional cables: limited current levels which in turn limit transfer efficiency. Superconducting cable systems are integrable with existing direct and alternating current technologies. According to the company’s website, SuperNode is focused on helping develop more efficient superconducting cable systems to enable higher level, bulk power transfer and novel implementation scenarios.

The group is looking to increase efficiency by limiting the amount of energy, expenditure and maintenance associated with keeping the cables sufficiently cool enough to maintain superconductivity. The company partners with technology companies, research organizations and OEMs to develop cryostats, cryogenic materials and transmission technologies to achieve its goal of significant improvements to the cost, environmental footprint and power transfer capability of conventional conductor cable technology.