Energy applications of superconductivity

The excitement over the new superconductors repeats the enthusiasm following the initial discovery in 1911 as well as that following the discovery of more practical metallic materials in the early 1960s. Higher temperature and the rapid progression from 35 K to 95 K and then to 125 K in a period of less than two years increased the normal enthusiasm to what could be described whimsically as hyperbole. Such excessive optimism led to some backlash and various expressions of pessimism in the media as the difficulty of the technical challenge of development was recognized. Now nearly five years after the initial discoveries and with fairly steady progress in both the science and the technology, the hype has been reduced and a more rational atmosphere prevails. This paper reports that high-temperature superconductivity generally promises an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary impact on energy applications. In other words, it could improve efficiency and reliability, but not make large power plants or petroleum obsolete