美国能源部：美国超导电缆真能碾压中国特高压？别被“盆景”唬住了！

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Department of Energy announced a significant initiative to build a commercial high-temperature superconducting cable in Chicago, claiming it allows for lossless electricity transmission, with one cable equivalent to five standard cables [1] Group 1: Superconducting Technology - High-temperature superconductors require extremely low temperatures, specifically immersion in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius, to function effectively [3] - The construction of a long-distance superconducting transmission line necessitates extensive infrastructure to maintain the required low temperatures, which raises significant cost concerns [3][5] - Superconducting cables are fragile and can easily be damaged, complicating maintenance and repair processes compared to traditional high-voltage lines [3][5] Group 2: Comparison with High-Voltage Transmission - China's high-voltage transmission (UHV) system consists of 27 major lines spanning over 40,000 kilometers, delivering 1.6 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is crucial for the energy needs of 1.4 billion people [5][6] - The UHV system experiences a transmission loss of 3% to 5%, which is manageable and cost-effective compared to the maintenance of superconducting cables [6] - The U.S. electrical grid is largely outdated, with 40% of its infrastructure being over the age of its intended lifespan, leading to challenges in upgrading to modern systems [6] Group 3: Future Outlook - Superconducting technology is more suited for urban centers and data hubs where space is limited, while high-voltage transmission remains essential for national energy security and long-distance power distribution [7] - The potential development of room-temperature superconductors could revolutionize global energy distribution, but current scientific debates indicate that this remains a distant possibility [9] - In the foreseeable future, high-voltage transmission will continue to play a dominant role in energy delivery, providing a stable foundation for the industry [9]