Promising future applications include high-performance smart grid, electric power transmission, transformers, power storage devices, compact fusion power devices, electric motors (e.g. for vehicle propulsion, as in vactrains or maglev trains), magnetic levitation devices, fault current limiters, enhancing spintronic devices with superconducting materials, and superconducting magnetic refrigeration. However, superconductivity is sensitive to moving magnetic fields, so applications that use alternating current (e.g. transformers) will be more difficult to develop than those that rely upon direct current. Compared to traditional power lines, superconducting transmission lines are more efficient and require only a fraction of the space, which would not only lead to a better environmental performance but could also improve public acceptance for expansion of the electric grid. Another attractive industrial aspect is the ability for high power transmission at lower voltages. Advancements in the efficiency of cooling systems and use of cheap coolants such as liquid nitrogen have also significantly decreased cooling costs needed for superconductivity.
promising future applications include high-performance smart grid electric power transmission transformers power storage devices compact fusion power devices electric motors (eg for vehicle propulsion as in vactrains or maglev trains) magnetic levitation devices fault current limiters enhancing spintronic devices with superconducting materials and superconducting magnetic refrigeration however superconductivity is sensitive to moving magnetic fields so applications that use alternating current (eg transformers) will be more difficult to develop than those that rely upon direct current compared to traditional power lines superconducting transmission lines are more efficient and require only a fraction of the space which would not only lead to a better environmental performance but could also improve public acceptance for expansion of the electric grid another attractive industrial aspect is the ability for high power transmission at lower voltages advancements in the efficiency of cooling systems and use of cheap coolants such as liquid nitrogen have also significantly decreased cooling costs needed for superconductivity