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Revitalizing the superconducting transmission industry in the cable industry into a new phase
China's cable industry has long been plagued by intense competition, leading to a series of negative consequences such as low-price bidding, overcapacity, and fierce competition in the low-end market. These issues have remained unresolved despite growing awareness within the sector. However, with the comprehensive development of various industries across China, there is a massive demand for high-end special cables, offering a golden opportunity for domestic cable companies to rise and outperform their competitors.
Industry insiders recognize that although China is currently the world’s largest producer of wires and cables, with nearly 10,000 companies of varying sizes, more than 90% are small or medium-sized enterprises. This has led to serious issues of product homogeneity and redundant construction. Most companies only produce low-end cables, with very few capable of manufacturing specialized types like fire-resistant, railway, nuclear power, or heating cables. Less than 1% of manufacturers can meet these demands, resulting in an insufficient supply of special cables and heavy reliance on imports.
This situation highlights a key issue: while China has a large output and numerous companies, its technology still lags significantly behind developed countries. In recent years, with the expansion of China’s land, sea, and air infrastructure—spanning aerospace, shipbuilding, transportation, energy, and mining—there is a growing need for diverse special cables. If the industry fails to address these challenges and implement structural reforms, it will struggle to keep up with the pace of modern development.
According to rough estimates, annual sales of special cable products in China amount to about 40 billion yuan, accounting for roughly 30% of the total domestic cable market. Among them, high-temperature cables show strong demand. As a crucial part of special cables, the high-temperature cable market is currently experiencing oversupply. National plans also support major projects like "high-temperature superconducting transmission," signaling a promising future.
Despite government backing, China's high-temperature cable technology still falls short of meeting new market needs. Each year, about two billion yuan worth of high-temperature cables are imported for domestic use. By 2020, the global superconducting applications market is expected to reach $244 billion, with high-temperature superconducting cables making up around 5%.
Superconducting cables are showing great promise and are already meeting market demands. Recently, several countries have successfully developed superconducting cable projects and achieved grid-connected demonstrations, marking a major milestone in the field. After over two decades of research, "superconducting power transmission" is now entering the practical stage, with commercial operations expected within the next five years.
In April, China's 360-meter, 10,000-amp high-temperature superconducting DC cable was approved by experts from the Ministry of Science and Technology and put into operation in Henan Province. It is currently the world's largest high-temperature superconducting cable and the first to achieve grid-connected demonstration operation.
In July, Tianjin Superconducting Technology Application Company launched its high-temperature superconducting cable project, aiming to build the first domestic second-generation lanthanide superconducting cable line to accelerate the practical development of superconducting technology.
In August, Nippon Rail Research conducted a superconducting transmission test using a DC superconducting cable. The 31-meter cable has passed performance tests, and the 310-meter version is under evaluation. Japan plans to replace aging metal cables with superconducting ones by 2020.
The development of superconducting cables could revolutionize traditional cable products. High-temperature superconducting materials can be cooled with liquid nitrogen to achieve superconductivity, offering a price close to that of conventional cables. This cost advantage is a major driver in accelerating the adoption of superconducting cables.
In terms of performance, high-temperature superconducting cables offer significant advantages over regular cables. Their transmission loss is only 0.5% of the power transmitted, compared to 5%-8% for conventional cables. With the same size and weight, they can carry 3-5 times more power, reduce losses by 60%, and save space. Retrofitting existing underground systems with these cables could boost transmission capacity by more than three times and cut costs by 20%. Additionally, they enable low-voltage, high-current transmission, transforming traditional methods.
Globally, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Europe have developed second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes over 1,000 kilometers long and capable of carrying more than 200 amps per cm. Some companies have already begun producing these tapes commercially, with increasing demonstration projects for superconducting cables and current limiters.
Analysts believe that while China lags behind the U.S. in superconducting power R&D, seizing this opportunity could lead to a projected $913 billion superconducting power market by 2025, with superconducting cables accounting for about 55%—around $502 billion, or 2.75% of GDP.
During the “12th Five-Year Plan,†high-temperature superconducting power transmission has shown great potential for high-voltage, large-capacity transmission. China has already developed the world's largest high-temperature superconducting cable with a 10 kA current capacity, achieving grid-connected operation. This marks a major breakthrough and positions China at the forefront globally.
Experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Engineering highlight the unique benefits of superconducting transmission, including high capacity, low loss, and compact design. This advancement is expected to greatly promote the global development of superconducting cable technology.
Looking ahead, the demand for special cables is set to grow significantly. For example, locomotive cables may see annual demand of 160,000–200,000 km, while communication and signal cables could reach 70,000–100,000 km. Urban rail transit projects will further expand the market for wire and cable products, with vehicle cables expected to reach 30,000 km annually and general signal cables around 20,000 km.
In this context, China's wire and cable industry faces both challenges and opportunities. Companies that seize the moment, eliminate unhealthy competition, increase mergers and acquisitions, invest in R&D, and focus on high-tech solutions like high-temperature superconducting cables can gain substantial economic benefits. This will not only enhance China’s technological level in superconducting technology but also revitalize the entire cable industry.