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Is there any reason we can't repurpose these lines for HVDC? It seems like we could get quite a bit of extra juice by changing to DC transmission.
by bsder 2y ago
Is there any reason we can't repurpose these lines for HVDC?
It seems like we could get quite a bit of extra juice by changing to DC transmission.
- pyrale 2y agoSame reason you don't repurpose a train into an airplane, the two have different benefits and drawbacks, and are used for different purposes.
- bsder 2y agoCopper wires are copper wires. There are 3 of them for 3 phases. They are sized for AC and AC losses. DC does not require 3 phases. DC does not have any skin effect or corona losses and thus can operate on smaller wires. The problem, of course, is that HVDC requires a DC terminal which costs money. It is likely quite a bit easier to build two HVDC terminal on land that the electric company likely already owns than rip up and rewire a whole boatload of long distance wiring.