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Humans have managed to build out a global network of fiber to enable a global Internet. I wonder if we can do the same for electricity distribution, mitigating
by loongloong 2y ago
Humans have managed to build out a global network of fiber to enable a global Internet.
I wonder if we can do the same for electricity distribution, mitigating the uneven electricity generation of solar (day vs night, summer vs winter, etc.)
- Gare 2y agoAt some point storage or overbuilding capacity becomes more cost effective than long transmission lines.
- dbetteridge 2y agoWhile it's physically possible it's likely not economical to setup a full global network. What is more likely is projects like https://www.energymagazine.com.au/milestone-for-nt-solar-farm/ https://www.energymagazine.com.au/milestone-for-nt-solar-far... Where neighbouring countries share generation and consumption (lots of western European countries already do this)
- loongloong 2y agoIn Bits and Pieces. Isn't that how the Internet grew? Those that have more pressing needs or have more aligned opportunities will invest first, then the cost goes down as the scale and technology improves, and the global network is built. Geopolitics might be a big stumbling block though.
- blackoil 2y agoFor net emission, that investment may be better utilized in upgrading transportation and infrastructure and run peaker gas plants.
- BurningFrog 2y agoA good start would be for the US to legalize building new power lines. https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2022/10/bidens-permitting-problem/378099/ https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2022/10/bidens-pe...
- skybrian 2y agoThere might be other ways. I’m guessing this will just be a niche when extra power line capacity is unavailable, but here’s a startup that wants to build giant batteries as railway cars and ship energy by rail: https://www.suntrain.co/ https://www.suntrain.co/