3 ms·
That's quite funny coming from a CA paper. Like we don't already have warnings of blackouts... ;-) But yeah, the grid obviously has to be improved. I thought t
by lutorm 18y ago
That's quite funny coming from a CA paper. Like we don't already have warnings of blackouts... ;-)
But yeah, the grid obviously has to be improved. I thought this was an interesting idea: Electrify the freight rail lines (much more efficient that diesel-electric), and since the rail lines will need power across the country, build a modern grid along their rights of way. http://www.theoildrum.com/node/4301 http://www.theoildrum.com/node/4301
- Retric 18y agoI think we could / should electrify the interstate highway system. That way hybrids and all electric cars can increase their range and reduce fuel usage.
- anamax 18y agoElectric is significantly more efficient than diesel-electric only when the diesel-electric has to do a lot of braking. (Electrics have regenerative braking, so stopping one train can be used to power another.) That means either lots of stops or hills; a train going down can power a train going up. While trains spend a lot of money on fuel, it isn't a big fraction of their costs, so even free fuel can't make a huge difference in total train costs. Moreover, electrification is very expensive. It's so expensive that electrification plan for the CalTrain corridor (San Jose to San Francisco), which is pretty much a best-case for electrification due to the frequent stops, doesn't mention cost-savings as a reason. They'll probably never recover the capital costs. Electrification might pay for itself over the Rockies, but it's a loss throughout much of the US. Since fuel-savings is pure profit, the freight-train companies are very motivated and constantly look at these things.