An SPI team led by General Atomics recently produced a successful HTS fault-current limiter that will soon be ready to market. Energy storage in both flywheels and superconducting magnetic energy storage systems will ensure the quality and reliability of the power transmitted to utility customers. In addition, energy storage provides utilities with cost savings by allowing them to store energy when the demand for electricity is low and generating the power is cheap. This stored energy is then dispensed when demand is high and power production is more expensive. Cellular phone base stations will use HTS filters.
Maglev trains seem to float on air as a result of using superconducting magnets.
These are only a few of the many possible uses for superconductors. Research and development of HTS may still yield many more uses for materials that can carry electricity without resistance. And as today's new technologies move into the marketplace, they will have a great effect on the way we generate, deliver, and use electricity, and on the medical and transportation technologies of tomorrow.