3 ms·
There is no "simple mechanism" to transport 600-800 amps across 10 miles. That amount of current alone is just mind blowing.
by elteto 14y ago
There is no "simple mechanism" to transport 600-800 amps across 10 miles. That amount of current alone is just mind blowing.
- rdl 14y agoI think this would depend on voltage. Transporting 800 amps 10 miles is done all the time -- a normal house has 100-200A service. The issue is that this is 230 KV, vs. 230V.
- elteto 14y agoI didn't know this, I can see how a house appliance might consume several dozens of amps but 100 to 200 amps? Wow, that is a lot. I don't have much knowledge about power transmission (which is one of the most fascinating fields in electrical engineering, in my opinion) so I'll take your word for it.
- rdl 14y agoYou can have a small crappy house/apartment with 40-60A service, for sure. But electric appliances (hot water heaters, clothes dryers, ovens/ranges, etc.) can be 50A. A single excellent commercial electric wok is about 50-100A. Each individual circuit is about 15-20A. The really awesome thing now seems to be HVDC transmission -- eliminates capacitance problems and problems with multiple grids.
- paulgerhardt 14y ago> The really awesome thing now seems to be HVDC transmission -- eliminates capacitance problems and problems with multiple grids. This. Imagine a global grid connecting alternative energy sources for each optimal locale: Geothermal in Iceland, Solar in North Africa, and of course Thorium in Norway. Peter Thiel seems to think this scenario is improbable[1] but I don't think it takes into account ABB's recent breakthrough with HVDC switching[2]. [1] http://blakemasters.tumblr.com/post/23787022006/peter-thiels-cs183-startup-class-14-notes-essay http://blakemasters.tumblr.com/post/23787022006/peter-thiels... [2] http://new.abb.com/about/hvdc-grid http://new.abb.com/about/hvdc-grid
- 7952 14y agoIn London they are digging a 32km tunnel using TBM's to carry 400kV AC lines.