Dr Ying Xin, general manager of Innopower, commented: �We chose Nexans because it is a world leader in flexible cryogenic envelopes, in addition to its broad expertise in cable manufacturing. We have a corporate agreement with Nexans to collaborate in developing HTS cable technology and we look forward to further joint projects in this field�. Jean-Maxime Saugrain, Nexan�s superconductor activity manager added: �Flexible cryogenic envelopes have been supplied by Nexans for more than 20 years and we have gained considerable experience through our participation in numerous projects involving cryogenic fluids. This technology is now available for providing the thermal insulation of HTS cables�.

The Nexans Cryoflex� vacuum-installed flexible cryogenic envelopes consist of two flexible and concentric corrugated tubes made of stainless steel. The outer part of the inner tube is covered with layers of super-insulation. A spacer with low-thermal loss centres the inner tube inside the outer tube and prevents any contact between the two metallic tubes. A molecular sieve guarantees a long-term vacuum. The outer tube may be protected with a polyethylene jacket. The envelopes, together with their associated terminations and hardware, are assembled, leak-tested and evacuated at the Nexans factory. This permits simple and cost saving installation at the customer�s site. The flexibility of the cryogenic envelope enables it to be handled like a cable.

Innopower Superconductor Cable Co Ltd is the first HTS power cable manufacturer in China. It is currently focused on developing and manufacturing China�s first HTS power cable system. In five years, it will manufacture HTS cables with greater length and higher capacity, develop other innovative devices, superconducting or otherwise, for power utility applications, and venture into other areas of superconductor technology.