Friday 9 December 2016

Why are the power transmission/distribution systems AC and not DC?


Is there a good reason why we are not in the process of completely converting our electrical transmission system to DC? The main reason for using AC on the grid (no offense Tesla, I love you man) was to enable transformation to higher voltages in order to drop line losses (\$P=IE=I^2R\$) and if the conductor size remains the same, when \$E\$ is increased in the equation \$E=IR\$ then \$I\$ must necessarily decrease, in turn decreasing losses as the square of \$I\$). But now we have the ability to transform AC (at all thermal, hydro and wind generators) and DC (at solar generators) to any level of DC we desire and transmit, usually to residential or commercial loads which tend to use DC anyway. If need be it can be converted back to AC at industrial loads (motors usually).


In this way many transformers, capacitors, spacing issues, etc. can be eliminated from the electrical grid, increasing efficiencies dramatically, and in turn decreasing emissions and costs.


Am I missing something here?




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