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The limits of HVDC transmission

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  • Pickard, William F.

Abstract

Renewable energy is abundant, but not necessarily near the urban centers where it will be used. Therefore, it must be transported; and this transport entails a systemic energy penalty. In this paper simple qualitative calculations are introduced to show (i) that high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) power lines for megameter and greater distances are unlikely to achieve power capacities much beyond 2GW, although they can be paralleled; (ii) that most sources and sinks of electric power are rather less than 10,000km apart; (iii) that such long lines can be constructed to have transmission losses<˜2%; and (iv) that lines of such low loss in fact meet minimal standards of intergenerational equity.

Suggested Citation

  • Pickard, William F., 2013. "The limits of HVDC transmission," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 292-300.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:61:y:2013:i:c:p:292-300
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.03.030
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas, Heiko & Marian, Adela & Chervyakov, Alexander & Stückrad, Stefan & Salmieri, Delia & Rubbia, Carlo, 2016. "Superconducting transmission lines – Sustainable electric energy transfer with higher public acceptance?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 59-72.
    2. Pickard, William F., 2013. "Transporting the terajoules: Efficient energy distribution in a post-carbon world," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 51-61.
    3. Kalair, A. & Abas, N. & Khan, N., 2016. "Comparative study of HVAC and HVDC transmission systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1653-1675.
    4. Arcia-Garibaldi, Guadalupe & Cruz-Romero, Pedro & Gómez-Expósito, Antonio, 2018. "Future power transmission: Visions, technologies and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 285-301.

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