power grid

Thermal resistivity (heat resistance) describes how much a material resists heat conductivity. Soil materials like sand, crushed stone and other masses around power cables have great importance for the cable's current-carrying capacity. Photo: Kristian Solheim Thinn, SINTEF.

Supercharging our grid: How to free up 20% more power

Implementing effective monitoring measures could yield much more energy from the cable network – all without digging a single new trench. Just a dream scenario? No, it is entirely possible, say researchers.