AC versus DC transmission and distribution 1

[Mbrooke]

Starting a new thread not to hijack another one on a different subject. AC vs DC. Which is better? Which do people believe will be used in 50-100 years time?


My thoughts are this: AC is a waste of copper, aluminum, iron, steal, space, resources just to name a few. AC is complex to control, and more unstable than DC in operating large systems. AC is a more difficult to engineer, especially as systems grow. AC power is holding back the burial of transmission and distribution lines. Its holding back renewables. Its holding back energy storage. Its holding back long distance power delivery and exchange. The conversion of AC to DC wastes energy. AC systems can not tolerate large scale none linear loads. AC systems emit fields which can be hazardous to human health. In short AC is impractical and it has always been a bad idea when all is said and done.

 

[MatthewDB]

I know the electrician who did the upgrade, I can ask why delta. The main service is 240 high leg delta. I don't think there is much other than the elevator that would be three phase. They have an addition that is fed single phase off a new service. The replaced the second bank that originally fed the single phase with the bank in the photo. It now feeds both the annex and the new service for the A/C.

 

[Mbrooke]

That would be cool- this stuff makes me real curious.

 

[prc]

Matthew, In India maximum voltage of commercial lines are 800 KV AC & +_800 KV DC . The whole country is covered by an extensive 765 kV AC grid(probably the largest in the world)This reaches Bangalore too. There are only three lines of 800 kV DC all more than 1000 kms long, one or two with multi terminals.

 

[MatthewDB]

prc: I was there last month and we drove out to Turnakuru. I would guess it was 765kV line out NW of Bangalore at a large substation. We have them in the US, but I've never seen them in person, at least not that I've noticed.