• @[email protected]
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    11 year ago

    Well a superconducting loop (even with liquid nitrogen costs/inefficiencies) would enable a global grid with quite minimal energy loses and reduce the amount of energy storage needed to sustain a stable grid even in the face of failures and disruptions.

    The big problem tends to do with harmonization of energy grid standards.

    • @[email protected]
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      11 year ago

      My understanding was that most long distance transmission is high voltage DC anyway, so the frequency of interconnected grids should be irrelevant in that case

      • @[email protected]
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        11 year ago

        harmonization of grid standards is more than just frequency (it is mostly policy paperwork and the replacement of non-compliant equipment or the installation of conversion equipment) but you are correct high voltage DC is used for long distance power transmission. There are also details such as who is responsible for paying for what, where things are to be connected and various other bureaucratic details.