Nexans Superconducting DC Cables Power Montparnasse Station Growth
On July 3, 2022,ย Nexansย and its partners announced that they won a major project fromย Bpifrance, the French Public Investment Bank, to install two superconducting DC cables near Montparnasse station in Paris. This Nexans superconducting DC cables project marks a first-of-its-kind integration of such technology into a railway system and strengthens the power supply for one of Franceโs busiest stations.
Nexans Superconducting DC Cables Project Supports โInvestments for the Futureโ
The Nexans superconducting DC cables project forms part of the French โInvestissements dโAvenirโ (Investments for the Future) initiative coordinated byย SNCF Rรฉseau, which manages the French rail network. For the first time, a rail operator will integrate superconducting DC cables into a rail network, and this installation will also become the first permanent deployment of this technology on any network in France. As rail traffic continues to grow in major cities, these high-performance power cables help secure and stabilize the network.
Meeting Montparnasse Stationโs Rising Power Demand
Built in 1840,ย Montparnasse stationย ranks as Franceโs fourth-largest train station. It currently serves more than 50 million passengers annually and will likely exceed 90 million passengers by 2030. To manage this growth, SNCF Rรฉseau needs additional electrical power to run more trains safely and reliably. Superconductor cable technology, provided by Nexans and its partners, delivers the higher power capacity required to meet this rising demand while using existing infrastructure.
The project team will install the superconducting cables inside the stationโs existing conduits. This approach keeps civil works to a minimum and reduces disruption around the station. It also demonstrates how advanced cable technology can integrate into dense urban rail environments.
High-Power, Compact Superconducting Cable Performance
According to the project description, only a superconducting cable can combine a reduced diameter with very high power capacity to meet SNCF Rรฉseauโs performance requirements. Each conduit will deliver up to 5.3 MW, or 3,500 A at 1,500 VDC. This compact yet powerful configuration allows Nexans and SNCF Rรฉseau to avoid extensive infrastructure modifications, reduce implementation costs, and limit disruption to rail and road traffic. It also lowers risks related to installation timelines and the commissioning date.
Sustainability and Safety Benefits of Superconducting Power Cables
Superconducting power cables provide unique benefits because they operate with zero electrical resistance. As a result, they transport electricity with minimal power loss and support a more sustainable rail power system. Their compact nature allows the cables to deliver very high power through limited space, making them ideal for crowded rail corridors and urban stations.
In practical terms, a single superconducting cable can replace multiple conventional copper cables. This smaller footprint enables highโcapacity 1,500 V connections that improve the safety and reliability of the stationโs power supply. Through this Nexans superconducting DC cables project, Paris sets a benchmark for how advanced power technologies can modernize rail infrastructure while supporting energy efficiency and long-term growth.
