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Or if we just built our power grid underground like rational people.
by oldstrangers 14y ago
Or if we just built our power grid underground like rational people.
- __mark__ 14y agoUntil earthquakes.
- mediocregopher 14y agoDepending on where you are in the world, earthquakes are much rarer then insane storms. I'm speaking as a Floridian. I'm fairly ignorant on this issue, but would it be that difficult to use one or the other depending on which natural occurrence is more likely? Or is this also a cost issue?
- gregschlom 14y agoMassive cost issue, plus some technical issues. According to this document [1]: "The North Carolina Utilities Commission studied the cost of placing Duke Power’s distribution facilities underground and found it would cost more than $41 billion, resulting in a 125 percent increase in customer rates." [1] http://www.sceg.com/NR/rdonlyres/465E6534-2FFB-4069-BF84-81465AEEF887/0/%20Undergroundvs.pdf http://www.sceg.com/NR/rdonlyres/465E6534-2FFB-4069-BF84-814...,
- Ygg2 14y agoUnderground cables have many problems like rats (and other vermin) or people harvesting copper/metals.
- Nitramp 14y agoDo they? Here in Germany the entire cabling within cities is underground, only the high voltage long distance lines are above ground. I've never heard a story about people stealing underground cables (they do steal e.g. train track above ground cabling). That also wouldn't make sense, digging up those cables is much more effort than taking them down from a post. I've also never heard stories about issues with rats. Power outages still happen, but they are quite rare - in 30 years I can only remember twoish.
- adamt 14y agoRats are a common menace with all sorts of cabling. Large parts of scotland recently lots broadband due to rats eating cables (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/12/dirty_rat_downs_virgin/ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/12/dirty_rat_downs_virg...). Apparently it's the insulation on the wires that they like.
- batista 14y agoReally? Rats and copper harvesters? Like it's gonna be some unprotected plastic cables 1 foot under the ground?
- Ygg2 14y agoI don't know but I've heard stories. Stealing cables underground is not common but it happened. And rats and underground water is quite a problem for underground (copper) cables.
- blaines 14y agoSometimes they don't even steal the cables... This guy just liked the sparks. http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=31723&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=&S=1 http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleI...
- vasco 14y agoUnderground cables have more expensive set up costs, lower lifetime, and higher maintenance costs. The price you pay for electricity doesn't even come close to justifying burying power lines. There's also the ecological stuff if you find that a reasonable argument. Bottom line, burying power cables just so you don't have to light a candle for a night isn't worth it.