3 ms·

> resistance in electrical wires over long distances eat ~5% of the generated power. This makes it infeasible... Electricity price differences throughout the U

> resistance in electrical wires over long distances eat ~5% of the generated power. This makes it infeasible... Electricity price differences throughout the USA[1] are much more than 5%, so a 5% loss does not (in itself) seem to make long distance transmission uneconomical. [1] https://www.energybot.com/electricity-rates-by-state.html https://www.energybot.com/electricity-rates-by-state.html

db65edfc7996 4y ago
Wait until he hears about the efficiency of an ICE. 5% losses for fixed infrastructure feels like not a big deal?
- zdragnar 4y ago
  This seems like a very strange comparison to me. Why would you suggest that an ICE is a substitute for moving electricity from solar panels in the southwest to NE? The percentage losses are irrelevant, except in the context of substitutes. An ICE could be 1% efficient if the next best substitute cost 100x more to operate. Likewise, 5% losses in transmission might add up over very long distances to mean that it makes more sense to build wind in the appalachians or off-shore from NY than it does to power the NE with solar installs in Arizona. OR, beaming energy eating 50% while costing even more due to the amount of exotic materials in construction.
- namecheapTA 4y ago
  Burning wood might be even less efficient than burning gasoline. But if wood was free, that makes it pretty efficient per dollar.