9 ms·
> wouldn't it actually make a ton more sense to use that to decarbonize the rest of our energy infrastructure Some portion of electricity is lost in transmissi
by reducesuffering 2y ago
> wouldn't it actually make a ton more sense to use that to decarbonize the rest of our energy infrastructure
Some portion of electricity is lost in transmission the longer the distances no? At some point it makes more sense for solar panels in San Diego to desalinize right next to them then try to get that energy to Maine.
- hn_throwaway_99 2y agoHigh voltage transmission lines are remarkably efficient, with losses of 2-3% per 1000km. And while I assume you were using hyperbole, nobody needs to get power from San Diego to Maine in the first place.
- reducesuffering 2y agoIt's hyperbolic, but isn't the result the same if San Diego gives solar power to Utah, and then Utah gives power to Kansas, then Pennsylvania, then Maine? But if that's only ~10% (4,500km across the US) that's not bad.