Efficiency of superconducting transmission lines: An analysis with respect to the load factor and capacity rating

•The efficiency of SCTL was investigated in dependence of the load factor and capacity rating.•The electric losses of SCTL in DC mode are independent from the transferred power.•The higher the transferred power, the higher the efficiency for SCTL.•The intermittent character of renewable energy affects the load factor and therefore the efficiency of SCTL.•SCTL can reduce CO2 emissions related to losses compared to standard options.