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> What exactly do you think is fantastical? Using one year's production of one element? Because I'd already noted that the political aspects are severe enough

by troupo 2y ago

> What exactly do you think is fantastical? Using one year's production of one element? Because I'd already noted that the political aspects are severe enough Do we stockpile the entire production of aluminium across the entire planet every year, and don't use it just because of politics? Or do we actually use that yearly production in, you know, actual things that are produced from aluminium? > only one country would be capable but even then it would be a surprise. Even the magical country of China would not be able to put the stunt of converting 77 million tons of aluminium into a 40 000 kilometer-long power cable.

ben_w 2y ago
> Do we stockpile the entire production of aluminium across the entire planet every year, and don't use it just because of politics? Aluminium production is not fixed, it varies by demand; I'm suggesting a trivial increase in production given how long power lines last. > Even the magical country of China would not be able to put the stunt of converting 77 million tons of aluminium into a 40 000 kilometer-long power cable. It's not harder than anything else that's made of the same stuff. You know we get the stuff from rocks, right? It doesn't come out of the ground pre-formed as cans and car doors… well, unless you're digging in a landfill.
- troupo 2y ago
  > I'm suggesting a trivial increase in production A "trivial" doubling of production > It's not harder than anything else that's made of the same stuff. How many 44 000 kilometer cables with a cross-section of 1 meter have we produced so far? > You know we get the stuff from rocks, right? It doesn't come out of the ground pre-formed I do know that. I very much doubt that you do
  - ben_w 2y ago
    > A "trivial" doubling of production More like 7%, if there's the political will to build it in only 15 years. 1 year production / 15 years = 6.666… % And 50% of current global aluminium production comes from factories that specifically China switched on since 2006: https://international-aluminium.org/statistics/primary-aluminium-production/ https://international-aluminium.org/statistics/primary-alumi... > How many 44 000 kilometer cables with a cross-section of 1 meter have we produced so far? Assuming you continue to ignore that that's the aggregate cross section and that the resistance is identical if it's one single cable that size or a hundred of 10cm by 10cm? And also ignore that all things on this size are normally done by making small things and joining them together? For the dry bits, dig a trench and pour liquid metal into it. And for the wet bits, make a 'trench' out of concrete and pour liquid metal into it. Heck, given how aluminium is produced, you could even dig the trench, fill it with ore, and electrolytically reduce it from the oxide in situ. But the traditional approach is probably going to be of more interest to investors. Less risk, and you get benefits from the sub-systems without having to complete the whole thing before seeing anything. > I very much doubt that you do You doubt that I know the thing I just told you in the line you're quoting to say that you doubt it?

by troupo 2y ago

ben_w 2y ago

> Do we stockpile the entire production of aluminium across the entire planet every year, and don't use it just because of politics? Aluminium production is not fixed, it varies by demand; I'm suggesting a trivial increase in production given how long power lines last. > Even the magical country of China would not be able to put the stunt of converting 77 million tons of aluminium into a 40 000 kilometer-long power cable. It's not harder than anything else that's made of the same stuff. You know we get the stuff from rocks, right? It doesn't come out of the ground pre-formed as cans and car doors… well, unless you're digging in a landfill.

troupo 2y ago
> I'm suggesting a trivial increase in production A "trivial" doubling of production > It's not harder than anything else that's made of the same stuff. How many 44 000 kilometer cables with a cross-section of 1 meter have we produced so far? > You know we get the stuff from rocks, right? It doesn't come out of the ground pre-formed I do know that. I very much doubt that you do
- ben_w 2y ago
  > A "trivial" doubling of production More like 7%, if there's the political will to build it in only 15 years. 1 year production / 15 years = 6.666… % And 50% of current global aluminium production comes from factories that specifically China switched on since 2006: https://international-aluminium.org/statistics/primary-aluminium-production/ https://international-aluminium.org/statistics/primary-alumi... > How many 44 000 kilometer cables with a cross-section of 1 meter have we produced so far? Assuming you continue to ignore that that's the aggregate cross section and that the resistance is identical if it's one single cable that size or a hundred of 10cm by 10cm? And also ignore that all things on this size are normally done by making small things and joining them together? For the dry bits, dig a trench and pour liquid metal into it. And for the wet bits, make a 'trench' out of concrete and pour liquid metal into it. Heck, given how aluminium is produced, you could even dig the trench, fill it with ore, and electrolytically reduce it from the oxide in situ. But the traditional approach is probably going to be of more interest to investors. Less risk, and you get benefits from the sub-systems without having to complete the whole thing before seeing anything. > I very much doubt that you do You doubt that I know the thing I just told you in the line you're quoting to say that you doubt it?