3 ms·
Saltwater is a very poor dielectric between wires (it is a high resistance conductor actually). An AC line would have a low efficiency because the dissolved ion
by gmueckl 6y ago
Saltwater is a very poor dielectric between wires (it is a high resistance conductor actually). An AC line would have a low efficiency because the dissolved ions transport a leak current between the wires. Around a DC line, electric field just generates an ion gradient once when powered on (and assuming the insulation doesn't experience electrolysis).
Long AC lines in air also have a finite resistance between wires, but it is much higher and not much of a concern.
- simonebrunozzi 6y agoUpvoted, and let me add: what a fantastic comment - deep and clear and easy to grasp.
- koheripbal 6y agoDoes a long distance DC line even need a negative wire, or can you just connect it to ground at the destination?
- spectralwarp 6y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-wire_earth_return https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-wire_earth_return
- tim333 6y agoThey can work without a return wire. It sounds like this system is designed to be able to work that way in case of faults: >The use of two HVDC cables will provide the link between all four sites. The use of two cables constitutes the bipolar operation of the project. A return path through earth, however, is provided in order to allow for the reinstatement of rated or half-rated power transfer through converter switching, in case of faults and disconnections of one of the two 500MW elements of the converter, or one of the two HVDC cable links. (https://www.euroasia-interconnector.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EuroAsia_Interconnector_Project_Overall_leaflet_English.pdf https://www.euroasia-interconnector.com/wp-content/uploads/2... p17)