One part of Lofstrom’s pitch for the Launch Loop is that the tech can also be used for power transmission. Basically, the rotor can function as a continent sized flywheel (he proposed one running under the pacific, around the entire continental rim - obviously not for spaceflight in this case) that is not only a good way to store energy, but also to transmit it.
Presently, our best long distance transmission lines are UHVDC, which can transmit power thousands of km (China has lines as long as 3000 km).
It would seem that an Orbital Ring or Launch Loop could be used in similar fashion. The Launch Loop is a particularly good example. Forget running it vertically, just picture it as a power line, with generously sized deflectors on either end. On one end, you have a major energy customer, like a city. On the other, you have a power plant - perhaps more plants or customers along the route. The power plant(s) spin up the rotor, while the customer(s) spin it down.
What are the technical limitations here?
#Overview
The Atlantic Superconnection was successfully negotiated by the UK and Iceland over several years, with latest talks 2018-19 seeing an agreement.
The HVDC cable will be built in Newcastle by the Atlantic Superconnection company, employing around 500 UK workers, and laid undersea between Scotland and Iceland. Near-limitless clean green energy produced in Iceland will thus be piped into the UK, ensuring an initial 1GW constant (>5TwH), enough to power over 1.6 million UK homes, at only around $65/MWH, cheap enough to challenge coal, and help us begin to fold up our carbon-heavy power generation.
#Finance
Disruptive Capital Finance, with support from banks, pension funds, export credit agencies and strategic investors, will put up the investment needed for the project, and additional support from the Brexit Fund will total around 5% of the total $3.2bn needed for the project.
#Timeline
2019: Deal signed, factory in Newcastle to be developed
2020-2021: Iceland to develop energy sources to ensure large surplus
2022-2024: Factory open, construction of cable, laying of cable
2025: Project completed, transmission of energy begins
#Notes
- The cable will be buried in areas deemed "High Risk" from trawling, and other damage
- The connection at Iceland will connect in a non-tectonically active area, to reduce any potential risk from volcanic activity, using existing Icelandic power infrastructure
- The HVDC cable will ensure losses of <5% over the distance in terms of energy wastage
- The energy will be bought by Atlantic Superconnection from Iceland, sold to UK utilities, and distributed to the grid as normal
I'm puzzled by this, in high school we were basically taught that if you want to transfer electric energy long distances you have to up the voltage, and use AC current.
But now I see that a cable is being built in the Baltic sea (Sweden-Lithuania) which will use direct current (300 kV, 1250 A). It's length being 450 km.
I am clueless. Why is this? Why not use AC?
Isn't current dependent on voltage? If wire has 1ohm resistance and voltage of 100V then it will always have 100A current, right? But how does power comes into play?
Read more here
