Siemens superconducting fuses

[ramsy]

What say you, POCO engineers?

Ames lab physicist model being developed for superconducting fault-current limiters
http://www.physorg.com/news138072175.html

 

[mdshunk]

So, if the liquid nitrogen runs out, the substation goes dark?

 

[ramsy]

I'm no expert, but did suspect higher operating costs over traditional fuses. Now Marc's question of reliability seems another valid concern.

Since, private enterprise rarely subsidizes a failed cost-benifit analysis, it must be a public works; (ie) "under contract with the DOE to demonstrate the technology.."