Environmental Benefits 

Environmental benefits from the installation of HTS technology accrue in two forms. First, the higher efficiency of electric generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization results in a lowered generated power requirement, in turn lowering greenhouse emissions to the atmosphere. Second, the reduction of potential environmental pollutants, such as transformer oil, SF₆ insulating gas, and high-density oil in cable systems, and the reduction of materials required for electric power components provide additional environmental benefits. 

Presently, between 5 and 10 % of all electricity generated is lost through transmission and distribution losses. Superconductive transmission and distribution could reduce this loss by about one-half, potentially dropping electrical requirements by about 4%, saving a respective amount of fuel now spent in generation, and resulting in fewer greenhouse gases, less pollution, less resource extraction, etc. In 1995, total installed generation capacity, utility and Non-utility, was 776,365 MW..  Of this amount, 54% was coal- fired generation. Of this 54%, 3.67% amounts to 15,386 MW. If this amount of coal- fired generation could be displaced through the installation of HTS transmission and distribution, it would preclude the emission of 131 million tons of CO₂, 24,232 tons of NO, and 846,000 tons of SO₂ annually (1995) based on today’s coal plant technology. An equivalent, additional amount of reduction would occur when HTS-based electric motors and generators are fully implemented.  A reduction of 262 million tons of CO₂ converts to an annual saving of 26 million tons of carbon equivalent.  Converting the carbon equivalent to a 50% fixed carbon coal results in a reduction of 52 million tons of coal yearly.   

Superconductivity is clearly an energy efficiency technology, which could play a strong supportive role to renewable electric generation. For example, it could be a substantial part of climate change reduction through the use of distributed renewable generation, since superconductive cables would lower the losses associated with T&D from isolated power plants. Renewable technologies, inherently, must be utilized where the renewable resources exist; i.e., solar technologies work best where there is intense and consistent sun, and geothermal electric generation and direct use are best employed where high temperature geothermal resources exist close to the earth's surface. Reliable and predictable wind power requires a reliable and predictable wind, and, the higher the velocity, the more power can be generated, and this doesn't happen just anywhere. The best renewable resources are not necessarily near centers of demand or population centers. Extensive wind generation is possible in broad areas of Montana, but the power demand is closer to Chicago. The solar resources of Arizona, New Mexico, and desert regions of the West could generate electricity for Los Angeles and Dallas, but the power must be transmitted and distributed over great distances to make this possible. Today, the costs, losses, and difficulty associated with generating power great distances from the ultimate user are a significant hindrance to broader adaptation of renewable energy options. 

For many years, superconductivity was simply a research program whose promise was long term at best. Today, the technology has come to the point where the world's largest electrical cable producers and electrical equipment manufacturers are now deeply involved with their own funds. Years are still left before this technology will be widely available, cost effective, and in common use but when this happens, the substantial improvements in T&D efficiency this technology will bring will overcome these hindrances to wide  renewable energy usage. HTS technology is strongly synergistic with energy efficiency and renewable technology projected benefits.