IIT-BHU will research on superconductors to save power during transmission

New Delhi: In a unique three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by IIT-BHU and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), it has been decided that the institute will research to explore how high temperature super conductors can be used for transmission as well as bulk storage of electricity.Only one of its kinds, hardly anything is being done in this regard in India.

Right now, cables that are used to transmit electricity offer resistance. It results in significant power loss. Superconductors offer no resistance wile power transmission, saving the wastage of power. However, this technology is not commercially viable for India right now because superconductors have to be maintained a very low temperature – around zero Kelvin. Even known high-temperature superconductors need a temperature below zero degree Celsius to work properly.

The research undertaken by IIT-BHU is about how to maintain high-temperature superconductors at higher temperatures so that they can be used for commercial purposes.If the research proves successful, it will be a major breakthrough in technology.According to the MoU, IIT-BHU will also conduct application-based research on advanced material and emerging technology such as nano particles and high-temperature diamond material that can improve performance of electric systems and equipments.

This post was written by Aditya Singhal, managing director of askIITians.