3 ms·
A potential factor is improved efficiency due to not relying on an electricity transmission and distribution grid, and generating the electricity where it is ne
by jimmcslim 12y ago
A potential factor is improved efficiency due to not relying on an electricity transmission and distribution grid, and generating the electricity where it is needed...
1. Electricity grids have to account for a loss factor due to the accumulated resistance of the wires between the power station and where the electricity is actually used. This power is lost as heat radiating from the transmission wires. That said, I'm unfamiliar with gas transmission networks so I would assume there is some degree of potential energy loss through gas leaking from pipelines, etc. I expect it is lower than electricity grids however?
2. If the power generation is decentralised, I would assume that less would be spent on electricity substations, although that might be countered with a greater spend on maintaining the gas distribution network. I'm not an engineer, but I get the feeling that perhaps maintaining the pressure of gas to balance fluctuating demand is easier than maintaining the voltage/frequency of AC in a grid?
2.
- maxerickson 12y agoGrid losses aren't that bad: EIA estimates that national electricity transmission and distribution losses average about 6% of the electricity that is transmitted and distributed in the United States each year. http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=105&t=3 http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=105&t=3 Compare that to more than 50% thermal loss at the point of generation.