Beyond Copper Wire — Can Croatia Build a Superconducting Technology Industry Today?

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From Advanced Materials to Superconducting Cables, Magnets and Complete Systems — A Strategic Opportunity to Move Croatia Up the High-Tech Export Value Chain.

The provided sources evaluate Croatia’s strategic opportunity to pivot from conventional copper-wire manufacturing to advanced high-temperature superconducting (HTS) systems. Global energy networks are increasingly embracing HTS technologies because they provide extraordinary transmission capacity and near-zero energy losses within a fraction of the physical space required by traditional infrastructure. Although Croatia lacks a domestic cryogenic supply chain, it possesses a strong electrical engineering foundation through established firms like KONČAR and existing collaborative ties to European research networks such as CERN. To successfully capture a share of this rapidly expanding global market, the country must prioritize targeted investments in research and development, forge international industry partnerships, and focus on specialized niche applications. Ultimately, transitioning toward superconducting energy infrastructure offers Croatia a viable pathway to upgrade its export profile and secure a competitive, high-tech advantage in the modern green economy.

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Croatia already exports standard electrical equipment, notably through companies like KONČAR. The strategic opening now is the step from conventional copper-wire apparatus to advanced superconducting systems. Grids are being asked to carry more power for electric vehicles, data centres and renewable plants, in streets and coastal corridors that are already full. High-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables and devices offer about three to five times the power of a conventional cable at the same voltage, near-zero resistive loss in the conductor, and a much smaller footprint. Liquid nitrogen, at about −200°C, holds the conductor in the superconducting state. The refrigerator still draws power, so the finished link is efficient, and it is not a lossless system.

City grids are already running these cables at distribution scale. AmpaCity in Essen went into service at the end of April 2014: one kilometre of three-phase HTS cable at 10 kV and 40 MVA, with a superconducting fault current limiter, tying two substations and doing the work of a 110 kV connection. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology reported that the cable carried about five times as much electricity as a conventional copper cable. In Chicago, Commonwealth Edison commissioned a permanent Resilient Electric Grid link in August 2021, recorded by Nexans as in service in 2022: about 200 metres at 12 kV, 3,000 A and 62 MVA (Chicago HTS cable). Gigawatt ratings sit on the test bench and in the next European projects. In the EU Best Paths project, Nexans and partners qualified a 30 metre magnesium-diboride loop at 320 kV and 10 kA, a rated capacity of 3.2 GW, in a cable on the order of 17 cm across. SCARLET (Horizon Europe grant 101075602, 2022–2027, coordinated by SINTEF, fifteen partners) is carrying that result toward industrial systems, with a target of about 1 GW per bipolar link and a fault-current-limiter module. SupraMarine is a separate French project, funded by France 2030 through ADEME (€7.3 million): Air Liquide, CentraleSupélec, ITP Interpipe, Nexans and RTE are building an offshore HVAC demonstrator, with tests planned by 2028.

BCC Research puts the global superconductors market at about $9.4 billion in 2025 and $16.4 billion in 2030, an 11.8% compound annual growth rate. That is the whole market. Niobium magnets for magnetic-resonance imaging still account for most of the revenue. Power cables, fault current limiters and newer industrial magnets are the growing edge, and the part a Croatian exporter can still enter.

For Croatia, the export gain is a shift from commodity conductors toward grid components sold on capacity per metre of street. Cryogenic practice at home is thin, the first articles cost more than copper, and Nexans, American Superconductor and a handful of tape makers already hold the operating record. The workable route builds on equipment Croatia already designs. KONČAR’s transformer, motor and switchgear business is the base. The group also has a CERN record: quadrupole lenses in the early 1960s, and later the 20 kA busbar system for the CMS magnet. In July 2026 it opened a laboratory for large electrical machines and drives in Bedekovčina, with a 2,700 m² test floor, voltages up to 4.4 MV and HVDC test capability. Cryogenics, tape handling and superconducting protection are the layers still to add.

Key findings. In city service, HTS cables carry about 3–5 times the power of an XLPE cable at the same voltage, in a corridor up to about ten times narrower. Comparing equal cross-sections, the superconducting wire itself carries still more current than copper; the finished cable, cryostat included, is the comparison that matters in a street. Resistive loss in the conductor is near zero, and the cooling plant is the loss that remains. A single cable of about 17 cm can be rated near 3.2 GW: that is the Best Paths qualification (30 m, 320 kV, 10 kA), and the baseline SCARLET is designing from, not the rating of the Essen or Chicago lines. Essen showed a 40 MVA link at 10 kV doing the duty of a 110 kV connection, which is the case for retiring high-voltage substations in city centres and the land and capital that go with them. The same project put a superconducting fault current limiter on the circuit. That device is a smaller first product than a kilometre of cable.

Recommendations, in order. (1) Research: fund HTS materials and liquid-nitrogen engineering through Horizon Europe follow-ons to SCARLET and through national grants. (2) Industry partnerships: encourage Croatian firms, KONČAR among them, to enter the next European consortia. SCARLET’s partner list (SINTEF, Nexans, ASG Superconductors, Absolut System and others) is the map of who already sits at the table. SupraMarine shows the offshore-wind version of the same idea, on a French grant. Joints, terminations, protection and type-testing are the work packages a high-voltage manufacturer can take. (3) Skills and facilities: add cryogenic benches and superconductivity training beside the high-voltage laboratories already running. (4) A pilot at the scale already proven: a short substation link, a rail feeder, or a fault current limiter in the tens of megavolt-amperes and the hundreds of metres, on the pattern of Essen and Chicago. (5) A narrow product: superconducting fault current limiters, and magnets for medicine and research, where a smaller device sells on size and efficiency before a full transmission-cable works does.

The upfront cost is cryogenics, test hardware and a first operating reference. The return, if the reference is real, is a place in Europe’s grid build-out: more capacity in less land, lower resistive loss, and an export line above commodity wire. Croatia’s move from copper apparatus to superconducting systems starts with the magnets, limiters and test work it can already staff.

Background: Copper vs. Superconductors

Conventional power grids use copper or aluminum cables, which lose ~3–10% of power as heat over long runs. As grids face higher demand (EV charging, data centers, renewables), expanding capacity conventionally entails expensive, space-intensive infrastructure. In contrast, high-temperature superconductors (HTS) carry direct current with zero resistance when cooled (typically to –200 °C using liquid nitrogen). This enables ultra-high current in compact cables: e.g. a single HTS cable (17 cm diameter) can carry 3.2 GW, enough for a major city. Benefits include no resistive losses and no emitted electromagnetic fields. Table 1 compares key attributes of conventional vs. HTS cables.

Criterion Copper/Al Cable (Conventional) HTS Superconducting Cable
Resistive loss ~5–10% power loss over long distance ~0% (virtually lossless transmission)
Transmission capacity Baseline (e.g. tens of MVA) 3–10× higher power density; single cable >3 GW
Footprint Wide right-of-way, multiple circuits Up to 10× smaller area; fits narrow ducts
Installation impact Extensive trenching; requires substations & transformers Minimal trenching; can retrofit existing ducts
Cooling needed None Cryogenic cooling at –200 °C (liquid N₂) (adds complexity)
Lifecycle cost Lower CAPEX, higher OPEX (losses) Higher CAPEX (materials, cooling) but lower TCO via fewer substations
Use cases General power distribution Urban grids, railways, data centers, wind farms

Superconducting cables thus transform grid design: no heat/EMF emissions means they can be buried deeper or adjacent without interference. Fault current limiters (SFCLs) made with HTS can instantaneously cut short-circuits, protecting grid assets. The technology’s maturity is evidenced by two decades of R&D and field deployments worldwide.

Global State of Superconducting Technology

Superconductivity, discovered in 1911, became practical with HTS materials (1980s). Today, industry leaders like Nexans, Sumitomo, Fujikura and American Superconductor are commercializing HTS systems. Field projects demonstrate viability (Figure 1). For example:

  • AmpaCity (Essen, Germany, 2014): A three-phase, 10 kV HTS cable (40 MVA) linking city substations. It eliminated a bulky 110 kV line and substation, halving the required right-of-way. The HTS solution was ultimately cheaper than the conventional alternative because it cut out transformers and reduced civil works.
  • Chicago REG Project (USA, 2022): A 12 kV HTS link (62 MVA) installed underground to enhance grid resilience. The Nexans/AMSC cable carries 3000 A and generates no heat or stray fields, ideal for congested urban areas.
  • Montparnasse Railway (Paris, ~2023): Two HTS cables replaced 12 copper cables feeding a train station. The system was engineered to fit existing conduits, achieving zero loss, zero local heating and supporting 40 kA fault current.
  • SupraMarine (France, planned): A 100 km, 2 GW HTS HVAC cable demo for offshore wind (target 2028). It aims to cut project costs by ~€1 billion by eliminating large AC/DC platforms.
  • Data Centers & Rail: Nexans and others are now testing HTS power feeds for AI data centers (10× higher power in same space) and high-speed rail (Montparnasse station test). Airbus’s ASCEND program is exploring HTS propulsion for aircraft.

These examples (Figure 1 timeline) show superconducting systems at increasing Technology Readiness. Crucially, utilities and governments are initiating more pilots worldwide. The global superconductors market (including cables, magnets, devices) is forecast to grow from about $9.4B in 2025 to $16.4B by 2030 (≈12% CAGR). Drivers include decarbonization projects, grid upgrades, fusion research, and even emerging “green” superconductors.

timeline
    2014 : AmpaCity (Essen, Germany) – 10 kV HTS cable, 40 MVA 
    2022 : Chicago REG (USA) – 12 kV HTS cable, 62 MVA 
    2023 : Paris Montparnasse (France) – Railway power with HTS cables 
    2028 (planned): SupraMarine (France) – 17 cm HTS cable, 2 GW offshore wind

Figure 1. Timeline of selected superconducting cable projects (with capacity).

Croatia’s Current Industry and R&D Landscape

Croatia’s economy has been dominated by services and tourism, but it has a significant manufacturing base in electrical engineering. KONČAR Group, for example, is a global exporter of transformers, motors, trams, and power electronics. This shows Croatia has electrical engineering expertise and industrial capacity. Other technology sectors (e.g. ICT, software, aerospace components) are growing.

On the R&D side, Croatia participates in EU research programs and organizations. Notably, Croatia became an Associate Member of CERN in 2019, joining collaborative particle physics efforts. (Though CERN mainly uses superconducting magnets and RF cavities, membership signals Croatia’s integration into high-tech research networks.) Croatian institutes such as the Ruđer Bošković Institute engage in advanced physics and may be involved in fusion/energy studies.

However, there is no mature domestic industry for superconductors or cryogenics. No major Croatian firm currently manufactures HTS tapes or cables. Key gaps include the materials supply chain (e.g. producing YBCO tapes), cryogenic engineering, and experience in large-scale HTS system integration. These gaps are mitigated by EU/industry programs: e.g. the European SCARLET consortium (Nexans-led) and France’s SupraMarine receive multi-country funding (Croatia could seek roles in such consortia). Without proactive steps, Croatia risks missing out as larger EU countries (Germany, France, Italy) scale up HTS infrastructure.

Key Croatian Stakeholders

  • Government & Policy: Ministries of Economy/Energy, and the Croatian Chamber of Economy could drive an innovation cluster. Access to EU funds (Horizon Europe, Innovation Fund) is crucial.
  • Industry: KONČAR (large electrical engineering conglomerate), and smaller firms in power electronics (e.g. Tesla – Industrie d.d. for transformers). These could pivot some capabilities (e.g. KONČAR’s transformer division expanding into SFCLs or HTS joints).
  • Academia: Universities (Zagreb, Split, Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering) and institutes (Ruđer Bošković Institute) could establish HTS research groups or joint labs (e.g. with CERN or European synchrotron facilities).
  • International Partners: Align with EU superconductor initiatives (e.g. Horizon Europe, EUREKA) to leverage outside expertise.

Recent Developments and Evidence

Global evidence underscores the viability and benefits of HTS systems:

  • Transmission Capacity & Efficiency: HTS cables can carry 8–10× the power in the same footprint, yielding 200× the power density of copper in practice. Their zero-resistance means “the power saving achieved is greater than the energy expended to maintain – a net efficiency gain.
  • Space & Cost Savings: By using narrow corridors (rights-of-way up to 10× smaller) and existing ducts, HTS reduces land use and civil works. In Essen’s case, removing a 110 kV substation saved millions, making HTS cheaper in total cost of ownership. Nexans reports a city link project having lower CAPEX than the HV alternative due to transformer reductions.
  • Reliability & Resilience: Underground HTS cables are shielded (no EM fields), immune to weather, and enhance grid resilience. Fault Current Limiters using HTS act in milliseconds to protect grids. Such robustness aligns with Croatia’s needs for energy security amid climate pressures.
  • Market Momentum: As evidence, global projects have multiplied and a variety of players are investing in production. The BCC Research report projects ~11.8% CAGR to 2030, with Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea) currently dominating supply, and Europe/USA rapidly expanding. Key players include American Superconductor, Shanghai Superconductor, Sumitomo Electric, Bruker, etc.

Figure 1’s timeline (above) and Table 2 (below) summarize notable deployments. These cases illustrate the shift from copper to superconductors in urban grids and transport. For instance, Montparnasse’s replacement of multiple copper feeders with compact HTS cables exemplifies how “2 HTS cables replace 12 conventional 400 mm² copper cables” in limited space.

Project Location Specs & Outcome Partners
AmpaCity (2014) Essen, Germany 10 kV 3-phase HTS cable, 2300 A, 40 MVA. Operated 7+ years with >7× capacity of MV line. Nexans, RWE, KIT, Univ. of Hanover
Chicago REG (2022) Chicago, USA 12 kV, 3000 A HTS cable (62 MVA) for grid resilience. Zero local heating/magnetism. Nexans, American Superconductor (AMSC)
Montparnasse Rail (c.2023) Paris, France 2 HTS cables replacing 12 copper feeders. Fit existing ducts; no losses, 40 kA fault capacity. Nexans, SNCF (French Rail)
SupraMarine (2028, planned) Offshore France 17 cm HTS HVAC cable, 2 GW, 100 km. Cuts ~$1B from wind project cost (no big platforms). RTE, Nexans, Air Liquide, ITP, etc.

Table 2. Selected superconducting cable installations (operational or planned), showing transformational capacity gains.

These examples illustrate that superconducting grid components are viable today and offer clear benefits over copper infrastructure. The consensus among industry leaders is that widescale adoption will accelerate. As Nexans summarizes: “Superconductivity offers significant potential to transform power networks… ensuring economic sustainability”. In short, the energy transition is pushing superconductivity from niche to necessity.

Opportunity Analysis for Croatia

Croatia’s goal should be to translate this trend into competitive advantage. Below we assess Croatia’s position, opportunities, and risks:

  • Strengths: Croatia has an educated engineering workforce (and many abroad), core companies in electrical machinery (KONČAR’s €1.32 B revenues), and EU/CERN affiliations enabling technology transfer. The small size allows agility in niche markets. Success in superconductivity could elevate Croatia’s high-tech export profile beyond tourism and low-margin goods.

  • Weaknesses: Lacks indigenous superconducting wire production or major cryogenic industry. Initial investments (fabricating HTS tapes, test cryostats) are capital-intensive. Domestic market demand is currently low (Croatia’s grid is modest and undergoing EU-subsidized upgrades). There is a steep learning curve: e.g. building reliability in HTS assembly.

  • Opportunities:

    • EU Funding & Collaboration: Croatia can leverage EU programs (Horizon Europe Pillars on energy, Green Deal, digital) to fund R&D and pilot projects in superconductors. Past experience (e.g. fusion research via FP projects) can be a springboard.
    • Niche Markets: Focus where Croatia has advantages. For instance, rail transport could be an entry point (Croatia has a medium-sized rail network and Končar has rail traction expertise). Superconducting trains (maglev or hybrid systems) or rail power supplies could be targeted. Another niche is medical technology (MRI magnets), or quantum computing components (superconducting qubits), though these are dominated by a few global firms.
    • Energy Projects: As EU greenlights more offshore wind, superconducting export cables (like SupraMarine) will be in demand. Croatia’s Adriatic coast could benefit from subsea cable expertise, suggesting a potential role in manufacturing or supplying parts.
    • Early-Mover Advantage: Few countries are focused on this; by leading early, Croatia could capture specialized segments (e.g. small series of SFCLs or compact HTS transformers) before larger players saturate.

  • Risks:

    • Competition: Established firms in Germany, Japan, USA, China are investing heavily. Croatia must avoid late entry where scale matters.
    • Technology Maturity: A breakthrough in room-temperature superconductors (speculative) could upend the market; relying solely on current HTS might be risky long-term.
    • Economic & Political: If funding dries up or grid priorities shift, momentum could stall. Croatia will need sustained policy support.

Actionable Recommendations

  1. Form a National Initiative: Establish a “Superconductivity Innovation Hub” involving government, industry (e.g. KONČAR), and academia. This could coordinate funding proposals, pilot projects, and workforce development.

  2. Invest in R&D Facilities: Set up or upgrade labs for HTS research. This includes cryogenic test beds and facilities to work with superconducting tapes. Academia and KONČAR’s Electrical Engineering Institute (one KONČAR division) could lead material science research, in partnership with European labs (e.g. KIT in Germany, linking back to AmpaCity expertise).

  3. Leverage EU Collaborations: Apply to join consortia like SCARLET (EU-funded superconducting cable R&D) or the SupraMarine project. Participation could secure technology transfer (e.g. learning industrial-scale cable manufacturing, cryogenics) and share risks.

  4. Target Quick Wins with Existing Assets: Identify existing infrastructure where superconductors could fit. For instance, pilot an HTS link between two substations in a congested area (as was done in Essen). KONČAR’s traction division could explore retrofitting a municipal railway power supply with HTS cables to demonstrate benefits.

  5. Develop Human Capital: Create scholarships and training programs in superconductivity and cryo-engineering. Short courses or exchanges (e.g. at CERN, Riken, universities in Europe) will build know-how. In parallel, incentivize return of diaspora engineers and scientists in relevant fields.

  6. Focus on Emerging Niches: Consider roles in fault current limiters (SFCLs) for the regional grid – smaller units that protect against surges – or in superconducting magnets for medical/imaging. These markets have high margins and tolerate smaller production runs. For example, Fribourg (Switzerland) supplies MRI magnets; Croatia could niche a similar product line or components.

  7. Public Awareness and Standards: Work with EU bodies to develop standards and regulations for superconducting installations (safety, grid codes). Being involved in standard-setting ensures compatibility and gives Croatian firms credibility.

Assumptions and Missing Information

  • Local Industry Capacity: We assume KONČAR and similar firms are willing and able to diversify into superconductivity. Actual interest and R&D readiness are not publicly documented.
  • Grid Demand: The analysis presumes Croatia’s grid and neighboring grids might adopt HTS if cost-effective. In reality, existing grids might prioritize conventional upgrades or renewables.
  • Funding Availability: The recommendations assume Croatia can secure EU R&D funding. The precise budget and competitiveness of grant applications are uncertain.
  • Timeline: Development of a superconducting industry is multi-year. We assume Croatia can move within the next 5–10 years to influence market uptake.

Without direct sources on Croatia’s internal plans, this report bases opportunities on global trends and known Croatian capabilities (KONČAR, CERN membership). Further market analysis would require detailed input from Croatian energy utilities and trade data on electrical exports.

Conclusion

The shift “from copper wire to superconducting systems” represents a long-term high-risk/high-reward strategy. However, given the proven advantages of HTS technology (massive capacity gains, efficiency, and resilience) and the growing international momentum (market CAGR ~12%), this is a viable high-tech export pathway for Croatia. Success will depend on early coordination, smart partnerships, and leveraging EU frameworks. By acting decisively, Croatia can move from merely selling electrical equipment to pioneering the next generation of energy infrastructure technology.

Sources: Authoritative industry and research sources were used, including Nexans technical reports, a market research analysis, and official data (KONČAR financials, CERN membership). These highlight the technical merits of superconductors, market trajectories, and Croatia’s industrial context.

The Deep Dive

Croatia's Superconducting Grid Strategy
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