Our Subsidiary SuperPower Inc. Exhibits HTS Products at Hannover Messe 2013

SuperPower Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., is exhibiting high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wires, compact HTS coils, Furukawa's high-temperature superconducting cables and other products at Hannover Messe 2013^{(Note 1)}, which commenced on April 8, along with panels showing the development status of various devices. In addition, a press release^{(Note 2)} has been issued on the progress of the demonstration project for superconducting devices being conducted in the United States, in which SuperPower Inc. is participating.

Outline of exhibits

SuperPower second-generation high temperature superconductor (2G HTS) wire

This is a second-generation (yttrium) HTS wire. The use of this tape-form wire means that the size and weight of devices may be reduced. The wire is manufactured using automated continuous processes, just as in the semiconductor industry.

HTS cable

This is an HTS cable manufactured by Furukawa Electric using wires from SuperPower Inc. The cable allows large-volume electricity to be transmitted with only small losses. The product is expected to make a significant contribution to energy conservation and CO₂ reduction, while at the same time enabling compact, large-capacity cables to be produced.

Superconducting coils & high field magnets with SuperPower 2G HTS wire

This is a long wire material used with superconducting magnets, motors, power generators and transformers, as well as superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems and other advanced devices. It enables more compact device designs.

Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems

SMES is an innovative technology that enables the high-efficiency storage of electricity using coils made of superconducting wires, as well as functions such as stabilizing electrical systems, compensating for load fluctuations, and serving as an instantaneously activated power reserve. SuperPower Inc. has collaborated with ABB of the United States, Brookhaven National Laboratory and the University of Houston (in Texas) to develop and build advanced SMES devices, and has supplied coil wires that suit the required specifications derived from systems and devices.

The Furukawa Electric Group believes superconductivity products are indispensable for developing smart electric power infrastructures. Two years ago, our Company developed a superconducting cable of the world's highest voltage of 275kV, and verified its integrity in a long-term current loading test equivalent to 30 years of loading, at Shenyang Furukawa Cable Co., Ltd. located in Shenyang City in China. We then acquired SuperPower Inc. last year, making us a corporate group capable of volume-producing and supplying a wide range of products, from 2G HTS wires to devices.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, interest in smart electric power infrastructure has increased, not only in Japan but also globally. Furukawa Electric is committed to developing businesses both in Japan and around the world for supplying products for the Smart Grid and other electric power-related infrastructures, utilizing the HTS wires from SuperPower Inc.