Work

Superconducting hybrid energy transmission and storage system and its projected impact on a sustainable energy future

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: For the target of 2060 carbon neutrality, extensively increasing the utilisation of solar and wind renewables poses a challenge in surplus energy compensation and multi-site long-distance power transmission. In this article, we proposed a superconducting hybrid-energy transmission and storage system, which can realise surplus energy absorption through large-scale liquid hydrogen production/storage consumption and large-capacity multi-energy transmission. This article uses the real data of renewable power generation and the real data of electricity generation/demand in provinces in China to perform realistic technical and economic analysis. The results show the proposed hybrid-energy system can potentially expand the existing renewable power generation capacity by 2 times and liquid hydrogen production capacity by 4.8 times. Overall, the proposed system can expand the utilisation of renewable energy through the large capacity energy transmission and energy conversion/storage, and solve the electricity generation-consumption imbalance in various regions and realise potential 100% renewable energy demand-fulfilment. A proposed superconducting electricity– hydrogen transmission system could expand renewable utilisation and liquid hydrogen production according to modelling with real provincial Chinese data assessing surplus absorption and regional balancing.

Source: Communications Sustainability

DOI: 10.1038/s44458-026-00077-z