4. Conclusion

In conclusion, superconductors offer unique functions or substantial, even considerable, gains in a number of devices in fields such as electrical power, industrial processes, transport, medical applications, large-scale physics instruments...

Only superconductivity enables real leaps forward in reducing mass and space requirements, and improving efficiency. These characteristics make superconductors one of the possible answers to sustainable development. They also provide solutions (fault current limiters) to improve the security and quality of electrical energy, as well as for certain equipment for new power grid concepts. SMES could also be a solution for pulsed power sources, for which there is currently no satisfactory solution.

While applications with low T _c have demonstrated their technological...