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ABB Advance Makes Renewable-Energy Supergrids Practical

MIT Press, technology review -- ABB, the large power and automation company, has developed technology that could provide an efficient way to transmit power from widely distributed solar panels, wind turbines, and other sources of renewable energy. The new technology is a fast and efficient circuit breaker for high-voltage direct-current (DC) power lines, a device that has eluded technologists for 100 years. The breaker makes it possible to join high-voltage DC transmission lines to form a resilient power grid.

If renewable energy is ever to account for a large part of the total energy supply, countries will need to install new, large-scale transmission grids, both to get power to cities from remote areas such as deserts that often have the best renewable resources, and to combine power from widely distributed wind turbi

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Submitted Nov 14, 2012 By: NHLiveFree

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2012 11:26:22 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse we definitely could use a new grid (esp. underground... )
FNB1967 Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,827 Points:765,145 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 8:45:34 AM Ignore FNB1967 Report Abuse Interesting
virostek Veteran Author Virginia Posts:423 Points:90,285 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 6:13:51 AM Ignore virostek Report Abuse Great.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,963 Points:2,116,640 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 5:43:15 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Keep on exploring all possibilities!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,995 Points:2,345,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 3:53:42 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse ABB Advance Makes Renewable-Energy Supergrids Practical, a DC power grid? DC (Direct Current) does Not work for long distance transmission lines, that has been proven a long time ago. It must be some new kind of new fancy technology that makes it easy to transmit on a Supergrid in a Practical way. Better yet, place solar panels and wind turbines on houses and large business and warehouse roofs to generate electricity locally and eliminate supergrids as much as possible. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,546 Points:765,945 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 3:34:37 AM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse If a technological break through makes long distance DC transmission a better option than AC transmission for electric power, the power companies will be all over the new technology as a way to reduce their cost. How DC transmission lines could possibly make solar and wind power generation more competitive, as implied in the article, versus solar and wind power generation over AC transmission lines is not explained in the article and the argument that DC transmission is better for the solar and wind industry in some unexplained way makes no sense. On the topic of underground versus above ground, bear in mind that the achilles heel of above ground transmission lines are wind, falling trees and ice damage but it is basically impervious to flood damage. On the other hand, the achilles heel of underground transmission lines is flooding but it is basically impervious to wind, falling tree and ice damage. There will be power outages no matter where the transmission lines are plACed be it underground or above ground. Take note that the rule of thumb in the electric power industry is that the cost for underground installation of transmission and distribution lines is that underground installation is a bit more than five (5) times as expensive to build for any distance planned. The maintenance cost of underground lines is higher than for above ground transmission and distribution lines as well because of the cost of exposing damaged or malfunctioning section/equipment in order to effect any repairs/replacement.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,092 Points:1,622,370 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 10:57:47 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Extremely incorrect redbeard..... You should take the time to read before commenting. The subject is some basic and promising research to advance this technology to the next level. You are more likely to be swindled by you local or state power company, esp. if they utilize Chesapeake Energy or a Koch Industries branch.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,092 Points:1,622,370 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 10:54:02 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Too bad you did not bother to read the article doctorindy... If you took the time you might learn that your comment is entirely incorrect. Both transmission types, AC and DC existed in the early days of electricity transmission and Edison's DC method lost out to what is now common, alternating current transmission.
crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,578 Points:480,900 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 10:35:30 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse DC power transmission along highways. Who would have thought... Perhaps they'll even think to use those transmission lines to power EVs.
doctorindyj Champion Author Santa Fe Posts:3,448 Points:839,585 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 10:34:07 AM Ignore doctorindyj Report Abuse I'm all for it. Think of all the clear cutting of forests. This will generate lots of jobs and just imagine all the lawsuits from environmentalists that will keep the lawyers rolling in the bucks for years to come.
SolarReplaceGas Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,005 Points:209,195 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 7:01:53 AM Ignore SolarReplaceGas Report Abuse Makes sense at a pilot level; hope it pans out when scaled up for actual use
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,180 Points:1,116,890 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:44:11 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Wow! THIS sounds promising.
FNB1967 Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,827 Points:765,145 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:35:02 AM Ignore FNB1967 Report Abuse Interesting
bpj13 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,270 Points:873,475 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:33:55 AM Ignore bpj13 Report Abuse Sounds like another solyndra.
GasholeMI Champion Author Lansing Posts:10,134 Points:1,717,315 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:30:06 AM Ignore GasholeMI Report Abuse Wonder how long before they go bankrupt?
BazooQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:9,700 Points:1,634,500 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:29:13 AM Ignore BazooQC Report Abuse More efficient? So why bill not go down?
Crumbfel Champion Author Virginia Posts:11,554 Points:2,160,585 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:28:11 AM Ignore Crumbfel Report Abuse good
SnickersDog Champion Author Denver Posts:3,278 Points:680,010 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:27:25 AM Ignore SnickersDog Report Abuse Okay
bladecutter Champion Author Houston Posts:4,851 Points:983,100 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:27:01 AM Ignore bladecutter Report Abuse About time.
Tegger Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,118 Points:1,645,535 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:26:53 AM Ignore Tegger Report Abuse OK
dhawk24 Champion Author Maine Posts:7,795 Points:1,592,510 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:26:39 AM Ignore dhawk24 Report Abuse OK, I guess.
NDQ Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,981 Points:388,430 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:25:37 AM Ignore NDQ Report Abuse good advance
turbosaab Champion Author Cleveland Posts:19,009 Points:2,339,220 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:25:36 AM Ignore turbosaab Report Abuse Someday....
redbeard47229 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:675 Points:43,045 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:25:15 AM Ignore redbeard47229 Report Abuse more big gov't involvement. taxpayers being swindled.
BJ1947 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,272 Points:479,675 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:24:44 AM Ignore BJ1947 Report Abuse When?
teamsimons Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,473 Points:501,370 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:24:00 AM Ignore teamsimons Report Abuse If only the technology were available for residences at an affordable price. Those who are dependent upon petroleum products to keep warm in the winter would be ever so grateful not to have to pony up with whatever prevailing prices are every year.
tdc007 Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,108 Points:381,880 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:24:00 AM Ignore tdc007 Report Abuse Good.
Jebeahm Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,242 Points:457,330 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:23:59 AM Ignore Jebeahm Report Abuse good, very good
postcard9 All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:883 Points:515,445 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:23:55 AM Ignore postcard9 Report Abuse Good work.
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:5,949 Points:1,851,545 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:23:54 AM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse the future keeps looking better all the time
Goofoff Champion Author Virginia Posts:11,882 Points:2,177,200 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:23:51 AM Ignore Goofoff Report Abuse I read this article
91Hilux Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,162 Points:680,720 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:23:48 AM Ignore 91Hilux Report Abuse That's great. Now to keep the secrets in THIS country.
LocalSpyGuy Champion Author Tampa Posts:7,795 Points:1,584,200 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:23:35 AM Ignore LocalSpyGuy Report Abuse Good comment Gville
no_monkey2002 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:8,415 Points:2,070,200 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:22:24 AM Ignore no_monkey2002 Report Abuse hurry china is trying to out do us again
hawkman1950 Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,620 Points:539,580 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:22:15 AM Ignore hawkman1950 Report Abuse Good for the American people.
marinedad1949 Champion Author Lancaster Posts:2,486 Points:503,220 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:21:45 AM Ignore marinedad1949 Report Abuse This is the areas where more money should be spent on technology and infrastructure improvement.
DYSKYPILOT Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,897 Points:625,480 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:21:09 AM Ignore DYSKYPILOT Report Abuse 2.00
Fish167 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,979 Points:2,477,815 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:20:37 AM Ignore Fish167 Report Abuse ok
f4driver Champion Author Maine Posts:2,520 Points:684,320 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:20:17 AM Ignore f4driver Report Abuse And this affects gas prices...how?
zippodiddo Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,240 Points:912,485 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:20:04 AM Ignore zippodiddo Report Abuse ok
crmedic Champion Author Arkansas Posts:2,658 Points:223,925 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:19:36 AM Ignore crmedic Report Abuse sounds good
speedraider Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,668 Points:1,643,920 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:18:22 AM Ignore speedraider Report Abuse ok
METEOR49 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,167 Points:454,250 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:18:10 AM Ignore METEOR49 Report Abuse i think yesterdays urine powered generator made more sense .
silverfoxv65 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,475 Points:1,229,675 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:18:02 AM Ignore silverfoxv65 Report Abuse There are people who knew about this stuff 100 years ago and were shunned. Pushed away, the electric companies did not care!
ats621 Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,228 Points:307,740 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:17:13 AM Ignore ats621 Report Abuse Ok. Let's see it work first
cwashi3324 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,797 Points:572,315 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:17:11 AM Ignore cwashi3324 Report Abuse Whats' with the numbers on every post?
Gville Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,316 Points:1,122,350 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:17:00 AM Ignore Gville Report Abuse ABB is a multinational company that started out Swedish and Swiss, well respected and smart. Let's see how this development contributes to the functioning of major power grids - should be a wild ride. Gee, I only had to go down 2 comments at the time I started this comment to find some snarky know-nothing Obama comment.
mandoid Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:7,302 Points:1,526,220 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:16:47 AM Ignore mandoid Report Abuse It's above my pay-grade, but it seems the fight between Tesla and Edison is not over. Cute
springer03 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,309 Points:591,730 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:14:07 AM Ignore springer03 Report Abuse Anything helps
checkum Champion Author St. Louis Posts:7,591 Points:1,474,040 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:13:10 AM Ignore checkum Report Abuse always sounds better than it works