Re: Solar Power

In article <KI2$TVb$xMPGFw6v@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Oh No
<URL:mailto:NotI@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thus spake Derek Moody <derek@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
In article <eAQTGTFfhdOGFwhP@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Oh No
<URL:mailto:NotI@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thus spake Derek Moody <derek@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
The usual problem applies - abundant, unused, natural energy resources
situated far from population centres are all very well but waste much
of the power in (unavoidable) transmission losses.

Transmission losses are not huge - and I think most of the loss is and
stepping down the voltage to domestic. Capital cost of installing power

Linear to resistance - ie. to length of transmission line. Inverse square
to voltage if ac. Capacitance must be a large factor in sub land/sea lines
to and from offshore installations. Looks like -average- UK grid
transmission losses are in the 7-8% range but many of those are short hops
from stations local to consumers.

I think 6% is more normal, and as you say most of it is in the low
voltage short hops to consumers.

No - the bulk of the losses are in the long runs - the short hops skew the
resul to the low side. The value I quoted came from Wikipedia and referred
to pre 2000 so I'm reducing the confidence level.

Don't imagine that tidal power from the
north of Scotland is going to arrive in London at anywhere near full
potential.

It will be transmitted at very high voltage, where the losses are less.
Obviously it wont arrive at full potential, but the losses wont be
substantial.

There's a ceiling on the voltage even with overheads as the corona
discharges bleed off current.

lines is very high. This is what has been holding up development of wind
farms in the highlands. A new power line is going in, however.

It'd be a lot more sense to build a few new nuclear plants inside the M25.

Well, if you really want to blow money, just do it.

Me? I'd rather just cut the power lines at the M25 but that's another
matter.

Cheerio,

--

derek@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.farm-direct.co.uk/

.

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