Modeling firm Vibrant Clean Energy (VCE) has proposed a transmission “overlay” for the contiguous U.S., with about 210 underground high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines, 70 nodes, and underwater lines along nearly the entire coastline, as shown in the image above.
HVDC transmission can deliver power over long distances more efficiently than alternating current (AC) transmission.
“This is the system built in our zero2050usa study,” said Christopher Clack, VCE’s founder and CEO, on LinkedIn, adding that a report describing the study will “come soon.” The study modeled a net-zero emissions economy for the contiguous U.S., including an HVDC “macrogrid” built by 2025.
In the least-cost scenario, installed solar capacity would exceed 830 GW by 2050, as shown in red in the nearby chart, while wind capacity would exceed 1130 GW, with onshore wind predominating as shown in green. VCE modeled ten scenarios using the firm’s WIS:dom-P model.
Previous solar and wind capacity projections from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s “Interconnection Seams Study” showed that HVDC could economically transmit solar power from sunnier regions to less sunny regions, but that adding HVDC transmission would not result in more solar overall. Rather, it could lead to more solar development in sunnier regions but less solar development in other regions, leaving the total approximately unchanged.
VCE’s modeled transmission system would cost $400 billion if financed over 30 years at a 3% interest rate. That translates to a cost of $7.5 per MWh, which would enable reduced electricity costs of $25/MWh. It would save 4.5 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. At an 8% interest rate, it would cost $700 billion. Costs were based on cost numbers from “Tier 1” vendors and construction companies likely to do the work, with some “padding” since the numbers “might be a little optimistic,” Clack said.
DOE research, HVDC in Midwest
DOE is conducting a National Transmission Needs Study, and will release the draft 2023 study by year-end for comment and feedback. To date, the consultation draft has been presented to Native American tribes.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has identified transmission along highways and other rights of way as a research and development opportunity.
The proposed SOO Green HVDC Link transmission project, to transmit wind power from Iowa eastward, has been gaining investors and partners for a 349-mile, 2.1 GW transmission line, largely along railroad rights-of-way and entirely underground.
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Awesome – we are doing the same and more here in California and are laying many Dc to Dc solutions via Microgrids and then for wireless and plugless transmission and distribution as energy at the curb – and thus pioneering many solutions – for wholesale conversion and adoption of low voltage DC topology to everything. Bye Bye Edison and Hello Tesla – who was more right. The world should abandon AC and adopt DC everything!
Sir very good development in transmission bussinesd with saving on cost meeting your technology you have developed can be used in Indian subcontinent.we are works ng for various companies bussines development consultant india Delhi office for bringing new technology like we did in mass housing prefab readymade panneld plant being setup in banglore by world Haus banglore USA subsidiary company making readymade building projects as per cpwd specification and price upto 200cr jobs .from 2019may and with bhargwa construction industry in Gujarat railways redevelopment station project and hospital infrastructure highways universities bridges McD solid waste management given to me for the system improvement in saving cost by using digital and new best avilable from world .my company name Madhu India international laision and contracts consultants msme registered women’s enterprises Delhi office tel 9313895887.woulf like to associate with your organisation for international laision and any company working ng in all the fields would like to facilitate and give you Indian tendering process costing tendering post tender bidding process and approval etc at fee and actual cost basis to be borne by your company.thsnks spmishra retired consultants for construction industry for last thirty five years in india.
HVDC is viable/preferred for distances in excess of 1000km … and specially if you have NO LOADS in between… Finding such opportunities in the USA would be VERY LIMITED… due to its dispersed population / loads .
Now… Generating DC.. as in Solar Panels and then converting to higher DC or AC.. for long distance travel would be Questionable…
However, using the DC generated “locally/nearby” … would be really helpful … but will require most/all Electrical Equipment be designed for DC…. and would avoid Expensive & Limiting Inverters altogether with associated Conversion losses from DC to AC… and many times back to DC.. as in most Electronics Equipment….