Abstract: A substrate of the present invention includes a copper layer, an alloy layer containing copper and nickel, formed on the copper layer, a nickel layer formed on the alloy layer, and an intermediate layer formed on the nickel layer. The concentration of nickel in the alloy layer at the interface between the alloy layer and the nickel layer is greater than the concentration of nickel in the alloy layer at the interface between the alloy layer and the copper layer. According to the present invention, there can be provided a substrate that allows the AC loss of a superconducting wire to be reduced, a method of producing a substrate, a superconducting wire, and a method of producing a superconducting wire.

Abstract: An arrangement for electrically conductively connecting two electrical units by means of a bipolar high voltage direct current transmission, in which between the units are arranged at least two electrical direct current cables constructed as superconductive cables. The superconductive cables are mounted separately from each other in a cryostat (1,2) suitable for conducting a cooling agent which has at least one metal pipe provided with a thermal insulation. The cryostats (1,2) are connected with at least one of their ends to a cooling plant (7) supplying the cooling agent and a pipeline (3) is placed parallel to the two cryostats (1,2). The pipeline (3) is connected at both its ends to the two cryostats (1,2) through valves (15,16,17) which are closed during uninterrupted operation and, in the case of an interruption at one of the superconductive cables, the pipeline (3) serves with the then open valves for conducting the cooling agent intended for the cryostat of the impaired cable.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a superconducting wire. In the method, a buffer layer is formed on a substrate. Then, a superconducting precursor film is formed on the substrate formed with the pinning seed layer. Thereafter, the substrate formed with the superconducting precursor film is heat-treated to form a superconducting film including magnetic flux pinning centers on the substrate. The magnetic flux pinning centers comprise at least one element included in the pinning seed layer, and at least one element included in the superconducting precursor film.

Abstract: A cryogenically-cooled HTS cable is configured to be included within a utility power grid having a maximum fault current that would occur in the absence of the cryogenically-cooled HTS cable. The cryogenically-cooled HTS cable includes a continuous liquid cryogen coolant path for circulating a liquid cryogen. A continuously flexible arrangement of HTS wires has an impedance characteristic that attenuates the maximum fault current by at least 10%. The continuously flexible arrangement of HTS wires is configured to allow the cryogenically-cooled HTS cable to operate, during the occurrence of a maximum fault condition, with a maximum temperature rise within the HTS wires that is low enough to prevent the formation of gas bubbles within the liquid cryogen.

Abstract: The present invention is configured such that, in a low AC loss oxide superconductor constituted by providing an oxide superconducting layer 6 on a substrate 1, said oxide superconducting layer 6 is separated into a plurality of filament conductors 2 in parallel to the lengthwise direction of said substrate 1 by dividing grooves 3 plurally formed in the widthwise direction of said substrate, and a high-resistance oxide 8 is formed in said dividing grooves 3. Because of the invention, it is possible to increase the insulation properties of individually divided mated filament conductors, and to obtain an oxide superconductor that has low AC loss.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor wire includes: a tape-shaped oxide superconductor laminate that is formed by providing an intermediate layer on a front surface side of a metal tape-shaped substrate, providing an oxide superconductor layer on the intermediate layer, and providing a protective layer on the oxide superconductor layer; and a coating member that includes a metal tape and a low melting point metal layer, in which the metal tape has a wider width than that of the oxide superconductor laminate and covers the protective layer surface of the oxide superconductor laminate, both side surfaces of the oxide superconductor laminate, and both end portions of a substrate back surface side in a width direction thereof, and both end portions of the metal tape in a width direction thereof are provided to cover both the end portions of the substrate back surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an iron-based superconducting wire comprising a tubular material formed mainly from iron, and an iron-based superconductor formed in the tubular material, wherein the iron-based superconductor contains the iron forming the tubular material as a chemical constituent element of the iron-based superconductor.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for fabricating a high-strength Superconducting cable comprises pre-oxidizing at least one high-strength alloy wire, coating at least one Superconducting wire with a protective layer, and winding the high-strength alloy wire and the Superconducting wire to form a high-strength Superconducting cable.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite superconductor includes: a structure forming process of forming a structure including a metal covering member (20) including at least one to-be-joined portion, a superconductor (30) arranged inside the metal covering member, and a reinforcing member (40) arranged between the superconductor (30) and the at least one to-be-joined portion; and a joining process of joining thereafter the at least one to-be-joined portion.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a substrate and planar tapes which have respective mutually-opposing first and second faces. The tapes have edges connecting the faces, and each tape has a superconducting material on at least the first face thereof. The tapes may be arranged on the substrate so as to define at least a first set of at least one of the planar tapes overlying a surface of the substrate so that the edges of adjacent sections of the tapes in the first set butt together along a first direction over the surface. The tapes may also be arranged so that a second set of at least another one of the planar tapes overly the first set so that the edges of adjacent sections of the tapes in the second set butt together along a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A superconductive connecting device of at least one embodiment is used to contact the end pieces of two superconductors, each of which includes at least one conductor lead that is made of a superconductive MgB2 material and embedded in a matrix made of a normally conductive material, the conductor lead being directly sheathed with a barrier material. In a connecting region, the conductor leads of the end pieces, which are at least partially stripped of the matrix material and the barrier material, are arranged inside a sleeve or bushing, and a magnesium diboride (MgB2) material is additionally present as a superconductive contacting material which is located at least in some partial regions between the conductor leads. For establishing the connection, the cross-section of the sleeve or bushing filled in this way is reduced.

Abstract: A multilayer superconducting wire 7 with essentially round cross sectional area where the outer surface of the round wire is provided with a high temperature superconductor layer 3 and where at least the high temperature superconductor layer 3 is fabricated as a spiral running along the length of the superconductor wire 7 in parallel lanes 15.

Abstract: A superconducting coil apparatus and a superconducting apparatus including the superconducting coil apparatus are provided. The superconducting coil apparatus includes a superconducting coil 10, an inner container 50 that holds the superconducting coil 10 therein, and an outer container 60. The inner container 50 and the outer container 60 are made of FRP. At a corner portion 71 of the inner container 50 and the outer container 60, a sealing reinforcement portion 2 made of a resin is formed so as to extend along the corner portion 71. Opening portions 53 and 63 are formed in side surfaces of the inner container 50 and the outer container 60. The sealing reinforcement portion 2 is disposed at the corner portion 71 of the opening portions 53 and 63, whereby the sealing performance of the container can be improved.

Abstract: An oxide superconducting conductor of the invention is configured to include an oxide superconducting layer including a substrate and an oxide superconductor formed on the substrate. The oxide superconductor being expressed by a composition formula of RE1Ba2Cu3Oy where RE represents a rare earth element and an expression of 6.5<y<7.1 is satisfied. A normal conduction phase including Ba and a different phase including an alkaline earth metal having an ionic radius smaller than that of Ba are dispersed in the oxide superconducting layer. The normal conduction phase is an oxide including Ba and one selected from a group consisting of Zr, Sn, Hf, Ce, and Ti.

Abstract: A contact element (4) provided with an electrical connection element (4A), and intended for a superconducting cable unit arranged in a refrigerant, has an electrically conductive plate intended to be borne mechanically by the unit and to be electrically connected to the cable. The plate has through slots (4E, 4E?, 4E?) intended to form thermal conduction baffles.

Abstract: An arrangement with at least one superconductive cable (1) is indicated which is arranged in a cryostat (KR) serving for guiding a cooling agent, wherein the cryostat (KR) includes at least one thermally insulated metal pipe. To the outside of the cryostat (KR) is applied an electrically well conductive material that is composed of at least two strands (6, 7) which are wound one around the other with oppositely pitched direction around the cryostat (KR). The strands are connected fixedly and immovably to the cryostat (KR) at fixed points (8) mounted longitudinally spaced along an axial length of said cryostat.

Abstract: A superconducting wire (12), containing NbTi superconducting material and Cu, comprising a multiplicity of hexagonal elements, which, as seen in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the superconducting wire (12), have an at least approximately hexagonal outside contour is characterized in that at least a portion of the hexagonal elements is constituted as Cu—Al composite elements (3), wherein, in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the superconducting wire (12), the Cu—Al composite elements (3) are each constituted with an Al core (4) and a Cu sheath (5) that surrounds the Al core (4). The NbTi superconducting wire is thereby stabilized and has low weight as well as a reduced risk of crack formation during manufacturing, especially during wire drawing.

Abstract: An RE123-based superconducting wire includes a base material, an intermediate layer formed on the base material, and an oxide superconducting layer which is formed on the intermediate layer and includes an oxide superconductor having a composition formula represented by RE1Ba2Cu3O7?? (RE represents one or two or more rare earth elements), in which the oxide superconducting layer includes 0.5 to 10 mol % of a Hf-including compound dispersed in the oxide superconducting layer as an artificial pinning center, a film thickness d of the oxide superconducting layer is d>1 ?m, and a current characteristic of Jcd/Jc1?0.9 (Jc1 represents a critical current density when the thickness of the oxide superconducting layer is 1 ?m, and Jcd represents the critical current density when the thickness of the oxide superconducting layer is d ?m) is satisfied.

Abstract: The method comprises stripping matrix material from superconducting wires to expose superconducting filaments, placing the filaments between electrically conductive pieces, and applying magnetic welding to the electrically conductive pieces. The resulting superconducting joint comprises the filaments cold welded with molecular bonds between each other and between the filaments and the two electrically conductive pieces.

Abstract: A superconducting article includes first and second stacked conductor segments. The first stacked conductor segment includes first and second superconductive segments and has a nominal thickness tn1. The second stacked conductor segment includes third and forth superconductive segments and has a nominal thickness tn2. The superconducting article further includes a joint region comprising a first splice connecting the first and third superconductive segments together and a second splice connecting the second and forth superconductive segments together. The first splice is adjacent to and bridged portions of the first and third superconductive segments along at least a portion of the joint region, and the second splice is adjacent to and bridged portions of the second and forth superconductive segments along at least a portion of the joint region. The joint region has a thickness tjr, wherein tjr is not greater than at least one of 1.8tn1 and 1.8tn2.

Abstract: A method of producing a superconductive material involves the step (1) of applying a solution of an organic compound of metals, oxides of the metals forming a superconductive material, onto a support body to be subsequently dried, a provisional baking step (2) of causing organic components of the organic compound of the metals to undergo thermal decomposition, and a main baking process step (3) of causing transformation of the oxides of the metals into the superconductive material, thereby producing an epitaxially-grown superconductive coating material, wherein at the time of irradiation of a surface of the support body coated with the solution of the organic compound of the metals for forming the superconductive material, and/or of a surface of the support body, opposite to the surface coated with the solution of the organic compound of the metals, with the laser light, during a period between the steps (1) and (2).

Abstract: A sealable volume has a wall forming at least a portion of a boundary limiting the volume. The wall includes a hydrogen permeation barrier including a layer system (LS) having at least one layer. The layer system includes at least one hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) of an at least ternary oxide. Preferably, the oxide is substantially composed of Al, Cr and O and the hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) is deposited using physical vapor deposition, in particular cathodic arc evaporation. Preferably, the layer system includes at least one of: an adhesion layer (AdhL), a hydrogen storage layer (HStL), a protective layer (ProtL), in particular a thermal barrier layer (ThBL), a diffusion barrier layer (DBL), an oxidation barrier layer (OxBL), a chemical barrier layer (ChBL), a wear resistance layer (WRL). Excellent hydrogen permeation barrier properties can be achieved, and the layer system can be tailored as required by an envisaged application.

Abstract: A conductor for transmitting electrical power having a cylindrical core (1) clad with a strip of metallic material (2), possibly comprising a superconductor, placed, in the shape of a tube, longitudinally around said core (I), its longitudinal edges being welded to each other along a weld seam (3). The core (1) has a slot (4, 4?) placed under said weld seam (3).

Abstract: A rolled superconducting article includes: a cylindrical bobbin having a post in a cylindrical shape; a superconducting strip wound on the cylindrical bobbin in a rolled shape with a predetermined tension applied, wherein the superconducting strip is formed of a superconducting thin film, which is coated with a metal coating layer on a facing surface of the superconducting thin film, and a stabilizing substrate wound on the superconducting strip, wherein the stabilizing substrate is coated with a metal coating layer on a facing surface of the stabilizing substrate; an anti-bonding substrate wound on an outer surface of the stabilizing substrate with a predetermined tension applied; wherein the superconducting thin film is thermally adhered to the stabilizing substrate by heat-treating the rolled superconducting strip with the anti-bonding substrate wound therearound.

Abstract: A semi-finished wire (1) for a Nb3Sn superconducting wire (45) has a multiplicity of elements containing Nb packed against each other (6). The elements containing Nb (6) each have a rod containing Nb (7) and an enclosure containing Cu (8) surrounding the latter. The semi-finished wire also has a structure containing Sn (5) and a matrix containing Cu (4) in which the structure containing Sn (5) is disposed and on and/or in which the elements containing Nb (6) are disposed. The enclosures containing Cu (8) of the elements containing Nb (6), contain Sn. The semi-finished wire is suitable for manufacturing an Nb3Sn superconducting wire with which further improved superconducting current-carrying capacity is achieved.

Abstract: A superconducting structure (1) has a plurality of linked band-segments (2), with each linked band-segment (2) having a substrate (3) and a superconducting layer deposited onto it (4). The linked band-segments (2) are joined to one another by superconducting layers (4) that face each other. Each linked band-segment (2) is joined to two additional band-segments (7a, 7b) in such a way that the superconducting layers (4) of the two additional band-segments (7a, 7b) and of the linked band-segment (2) face each other. The additional band-segments (7a, 7b) together substantially overlap the total length (L) of the linked band-segment (2). This provides for a superconducting structure, which exhibits high superconductivity and which is very suitable for long distances.

Abstract: A method for producing a superconducting wire (10), wherein an internal wire (1), which contains superconducting filaments (4), is provided with a normally conducting stabilizing structure (9), is characterized in that, in a continuous or quasi-continuous process, one or more sheath elements (2; 2a, 2b) are shaped and/or placed around the internal wire (9), so that the entire circumference of the internal wire (1) is enclosed by one or more sheath elements (2; 2a, 2b), and all seams (6; 6a, 6b; 16; 16a, 16b) of sheath element ends (5a-5d; 15a-15d) facing each other are soldered and/or welded. A method for producing a superconducting wire is thereby provided, which restricts the cross section of the superconducting wire to a lesser extent and which permits the use of lead-free solder.

Abstract: A device and method for continuously forming superconducting wire, and products made therefrom. The method may include providing at least one continuous metal sheathing strip and at least one metal form, continuously forming the at least one continuous metal sheathing strip to form a partially open configuration, continuously filling the partially open configuration with magnesium diboride precursor comprising boron, and a metal form, and closing the partially open configuration thereby enclosing the magnesium diboride precursor comprising boron, and a metal form, to form a closed configuration. Subsequent reduction in diameter and elongation in length of the closed configuration, followed by heat treatment, catalyzes the transformation of the magnesium diboride precursor comprising boron, and the metal form, to magnesium diboride to form the superconducting wire.

Abstract: An arrangement for electrically conductively connecting two superconductive strip-shaped electrical conductors (1, 2) having at least approximately the same width, where the two conductors (1, 2) rest against each other with their end faces against each other in a connecting point (V). A strip (6) of superconductive material is soldered to the two conductors (1, 2), where the strip extends beyond both conductors so as to cover the connecting point (V). A strip (6) is used which has, only in the area of the connecting point (V) between the two conductors (1, 2), at least approximately the same width as the conductors, and where the strip narrows on both sides of the connecting point (V) and facing away from the connecting point (V).

Abstract: A system is specified having at least one superconducting cable (SK) which has at least one superconducting conductor (2), and having a cryostat (KR) which surrounds the same and has two metallic tubes, an inner tube (6) and an outer tube (7), which are arranged concentrically at a distance from one another, are corrugated transversely with respect to their longitudinal direction and between which vacuum insulation (8) is arranged. The cable (SK) has a central tubular support (1) for passing a coolant through, on which the superconducting conductor (2) rests. The cable (SK) is surrounded all around by a buffer layer (5) which protects the same against mechanical damage and consists of insulating material, and the inner tube (6) of the cryostat (KR) at least rests in a sealed manner on the buffer layer (5).

Abstract: A superconducting device (1; 1a, 1b), having a coated conductor (2) with a substrate (3) and a quenchable superconducting film (4), wherein the coated conductor (2) has a width W and a length L, is characterized in that 0.5?L/W?10, in particular 0.5?L/W?8, and that the coated conductor (2) has an engineering resistivity ?eng shunting the superconducting film (4) in a quenched state, with ?eng>2.5?, wherein RIntShunt=?eng*L/W, with RIntShunt: internal shunt resistance of the coated conductor (2). The risk of a burnout of a superconducting device in case of a quench in its superconducting film is thereby further reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MgB2 multi-core wire including a plurality of MgB2 single-core wires having a MgB2 superconducting core part and a metal sheath part the metal sheath part is provided on the outer surface of the MgB2 superconducting core part, wherein a plurality of the MgB2 single-core wires is bound with each other, and a gap is provided between a plurality of the MgB2 single-core wires, and a refrigerant for flowing in the gap in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the MgB2 single-core wires.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the wet chemical production of an HTSL on a carrier, wherein an HTSL precursor solution comprising no trifluoroacetate may be utilized if the same is heated to a temperature Ts during the heat treatment of the HTSL precursor, wherein the remaining substances of the HTSL precursor solution form at least a partial melt, which is below the temperature at which RE2BaCuOx is formed, and which is deposited from the liquid phase while forming a peritectic.

Abstract: An arrangement with at least one superconductive cable (4) and a first cryostat (K1) surrounding the cable. A second cryostat (K2) is formed around the first cryostat (K1) coaxially with and at a distance from the first cryostat (K1) for conducting a second cooling agent therethrough. The second cryostat (K2) is composed of two pipes (12, 13) which are arranged coaxially and at a distance from each other and, where a thermal insulation (14) is enclosed between the pipes, and where during operation of the arrangement a liquefied gas, having a temperature of 112K or less, is conducted through the cryostat (K2).

Abstract: A coated conductor with a substantially round cross section has a high temperature superconductor layer which is sandwiched between an inner substrate layer and an outer substrate layer to place the high temperature superconductor layer in the region of neutral strain axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high-temperature superconducting tape, including: a substrate; a buffer layer formed on the substrate; and a high-temperature superconducting layer formed on the buffer layer, wherein the substrate is made of SUS310s or stainless steel containing 0.01-1% of silicon (Si) and 1-5% of molybdenum (Mo) and has an average metal crystal grain size of 12 ?m or less, and the high-temperature superconducting layer is made of a ReBCO (ReBa2Cu3O7, Re=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Y)-based superconductive material. The high-temperature superconducting tape is advantageous with the result that a high-grade superconducting layer can be deposited on the thin buffer layer and thus the critical current density of the high-temperature superconducting tape can be improved, thereby remarkably improving the characteristics of the high-temperature superconducting tape.

Abstract: A termination unit for a multi-phase superconductor cable has, for each phase, a cylindrical modular element (1, 2, 3) having a thermally insulating external envelope (1A, 2A, 3A) containing a superconductor cable portion (7, 8, 9) contained in an internal envelope (1B, 2B, 3B) containing a cooling fluid. A branch element (4, 5, 6) of each phase, provided with an electrical connection element (4A, 5A, 6A), is arranged at the end of each said modular element, where each branch element (4, 5, 6) is directly connected to the corresponding cable portion (7, 8, 9) and only the electrical connection element (4A, 5A, 6A) projecting from the modular elements (1, 2, 3).

Abstract: A method of compensating for thermal contraction of superconducting and cryo-resistive cables. The method includes the steps of determining a compensation length for a cable such that when the cable is subjected to an operating temperature, the cable is in or near a stress-free state, and installing the cable into a pipe such that portions of the cable extend outwardly past ends of the pipe. The method further includes the steps of marking each end of the cable such that the determined compensation length is visibly shown, forcing the cable into the pipe at an ambient installation temperature such that a cable pattern is formed therein, and maintaining the cable in the pipe to prevent the cable from being pushed out of the pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a termination unit comprising an end-section of a cable. The end section of the cable defines a central longitudinal axis and comprising end-parts of N electrical phases, an end-part of a neutral conductor and a surrounding thermally insulation envelope adapted to comprising a cooling fluid.

Abstract: A superconducting wire includes a linear superconductor and a carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure is located on the linear superconductor.

Abstract: A superconducting wire includes a superconductor layer and a carbon nanotube layer. The superconductor layer and the carbon nanotube layer are stacked on each other and rolled to form the superconducting wire. Thus, the superconductor layer and the carbon nanotube layer are simultaneously rolled and alternately stacked on each other.

Abstract: A method and composition for doped HTS tapes having directional flux pinning and critical current.

Abstract: Impurities are reduced in an oxide superconducting layer and in an interface between the oxide superconducting layer and an intermediate layer. A superconducting wire rod 1 has a structure including a substrate (10), an intermediate layer (20) formed on the substrate (10), a reaction suppressing layer (28) formed on the intermediate layer (20) and mainly containing polycrystalline SrLaFeO4+?1 or CaLaFeO4+?2, in which the ?1 and the ?2 each represent an amount of non-stoichiometric oxygen, and an oxide superconducting layer (30) formed on the reaction suppressing layer (28) and mainly containing an oxide superconductor.

Abstract: A composite barrier-type Nb3Al superconducting multifilament wire material comprises Nb barrier filaments, Ta barrier filaments, Nb bulk dummy filaments, and a Nb or Ta covering. In the composite barrier-type Nb3Al superconducting multifilament wire material, the Nb barrier filaments and Ta barrier filaments are disposed in the wire material so that the Nb barrier filaments are concentrated in a filament region near a core formed from the Nb bulk dummy filaments and only the Ta barrier filaments are disposed or the Nb barrier filaments are dispersed in the Ta barrier filaments in an outer layer portion formed from a region outside the Nb barrier filaments, excluding the Nb or Ta covering.

Abstract: The invention offers a superconducting coil that has the shape of a pancake formed by winding a superconducting conductor. The superconducting conductor is composed of a tape-shaped (Bi, Pb)2223-based superconducting wire and a tape-shaped thin-film RE123-based superconducting wire that are electrically connected in parallel with each other. The coil generates only a low voltage in the steady-operation state, limits the generated voltage to a low level even in a state where an external disturbance enters for some reason, and is therefore less susceptible to quenching. Consequently, the coil can be operated stably in both states. The invention also offers a superconducting conductor to be used to form the coil.

Abstract: A rotating machine includes a stator and a rotor configured to rotate within the stator. Rotor windings are supported in the rotor and are formed of a laminated electrical conductor in a single-layer saddle coil configuration. The conductor includes a first support lamina, a second support lamina, an insert including a high temperature superconductor disposed between the first and second support lamina, and a filler material surrounding the insert that bonds the insert to each of the first and second support lamina. At the location between the first support lamina and second support lamina corresponding to the location of the insert, the width dimension of the filler material on each side of the insert is at least 10 percent of a width of the conductor. The conductor is configured to carry at least 600 Amperes per turn and have a C-axis tensile strength of at least 21 MPa.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus that can operate at current frequencies of greater than 60 Hz and at least 1 kW. The induction heating apparatus includes a high frequency power supply, a superconductive induction coil, and a fluid cooling system. A fluid cooling system is designed to cause a cooling fluid to flow at least partially about and/or through the superconductive induction coil.

Abstract: Provided is a less expensive and high-performance superconductive wire material substrate, a method of manufacturing the less expensive and high-performance superconductive wire material substrate, and a superconductive wire material using the less expensive and high-performance superconductive wire material substrate. A superconductive wire material substrate 1 is formed such that a surface roughness Ra of one surface is 10 nm or less, and a surface roughness Ra of an other surface is larger than the surface roughness Ra of the one surface, and is 8 nm or more and less than 15 nm, between the surface roughnesses Ra of both surfaces of the superconductive wire material substrate 1.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of oxide superconducting rods. The present invention provides a process for the preparation of oxide superconducting rods. The process includes the steps of a cold isopressing process without addition of binder, particularly thin and those based on Ag-added (Bi,Pb)2 Sr2 Ca2 Cu3 O10+x is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling fault currents within a utility power grid is provided. The method may include coupling a superconducting electrical path between a first and a second node within the utility power grid and coupling a non-superconducting electrical path between the first and second nodes within the utility power grid. The superconducting electrical path and the non-superconducting electrical path may be electrically connected in parallel. The superconducting electrical path may have a lower series impedance, when operated below a critical current level, than the non-superconducting electrical path. The superconducting electrical path may have a higher series impedance, when operated at or above the critical current level, than the non-superconductor electrical path.