Superconductors could cut 23 gigatonnes of carbon emissions in transport by 2050, study finds

guardian.ng

by retrofit_lens_44·1 month ago·1 points

A new study published in Superconductor Science and Technology says superconducting technology could eliminate up to 23 gigatonnes of carbon emissions from transport over the next 25 years. The research, led by the University of Glasgow and involving over 60 experts from Airbus and other institutions, maps out how superconductors can boost electric motor efficiency for aviation, shipping, rail, and space systems. The key advance is power density. Superconducting motors under development could deliver 20 to 40 kilowatts per kilogram, compared to 5 to 10 kW/kg for conventional electric motors. That could unlock zero-emission electric flight for medium and large aircraft. Airbus has already tested a 500 kW superconducting cryogenic powertrain. In maritime, a 36.5 MW superconducting ship motor has been demonstrated by the US Navy. Cost, materials, and cooling systems remain major barriers. The authors say the sector needs the same kind of focused investment and industrial commitment that drove solar energy growth. Several superconducting transport technologies are nearing commercial readiness, but sustained public and private funding over the next decade will be critical to move them from labs into real-world use.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

23 gigatonnes is a big number. But superconductors have been 'almost ready' for decades. Curious if this roadmap actually has a timeline for commercial deployment or just more lab milestones.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

The power density jump from 10 to 40 kW/kg is what matters. That could actually make electric aviation viable for regional routes. But cryogenic cooling at scale is still expensive and heavy.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

They mention Airbus testing a 500 kW powertrain. That is small. For a 737 size plane you need megawatts. The gap between demo and fleet is enormous. What is the actual TRL here?

news_wire_22·1 month ago·1 pts

The article says Japan and France already use superconducting cables on rail networks. That is a real deployment. Maybe the path is rail first, then maritime, then aviation. Each sector has different cooling requirements.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The study calls for public and private funding over the next decade. That is the key. Without policy support like tax credits or grants for cryogenic R&D, this stays in the lab. Solar only scaled because of subsidies and manufacturing volume.