[LINK] Ultra High Voltage

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Seems to me this invention will allow for the transmission of electricity,
economically, from geo-thermal fields in SA directly to nearly all Aussie.
For eg, today, "Geodynamics is pleased to announce the existence of good 
quality temperature gradients following temperature logging on shallow 
wells drilled in its Hunter Valley tenements.")

Leap Allows 2,000-Kilometer Link

Posted on: Sunday, 17 February 2008, By Sheble, Nicholas
<http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1257716/technology_leap_allows_2000k
ilometer_link/>

In nations like Brazil, China, and India, governments face the challenge 
of supplying densely populated urban centers with power from remote 
generating stations in an efficient and environmentally responsible 
manner. According to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a 
new technology known as ultra-high voltage (UHV) offers a viable solution. 

Delivering voltages of 1,000 kilovolt (kV) alternating current or higher 
and a minimum of 800 kV direct current, UHV technology can carry large 
quantities of electricity long distances. 

It can do so over a single power line corridor and with minimal loss of 
power. International standards for this emerging technology have yet to be 
developed. 

Indeed, ABB has already won orders worth $440 million from the State Grid 
Corp. of China and other partners to provide new ultrahigh-voltage 
technology for the world's longest power transmission link. 

 The power superhighway running 1,240 miles (2,000 kilometers) from 
western China to the highly industrialized coastal area in the east will 
have a capacity of 6,400 megawatts. 

That is enough to meet the needs of about 31 million people in China, 
based on average consumption per capital. The link from the Xiangjiaba 
hydropower plant to Shanghai will be complete in 2011. 

The ultrahigh-voltage direct current (UHVDC) link comprises two 
substations and a power transmission system using breakthrough technology 
to transmit electricity at ultrahigh voltage (800 kilovolts), which will 
minimize the amount of power lost in transmission. 

Increasing the voltage level of electrical transmission creates 
considerable advantages for the environment, including lower electricity 
losses and the use of less land compared to traditional overhead lines. 
UHVDC is particularly suitable for vast countries like China, where the 
centers that need power are often located far from power sources. 

Transmission losses will be under 7%, significantly less than the losses 
from conventional 500-kilovolt (kV) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) 
transmission schemes. 

The savings from using UHVDC compared with HVDC are equivalent to the 
annual power consumption of more than 900,000 people in China. 

The new technology, using thyristor valves equipped with newly developed 6-
in thyristors (power semiconductors) and an advanced control system, 
allows the biggest capacity and efficiency leap in 20 years. 

The increase became possible following advances in materials for outdoor 
insulators and advanced control systems. Copyright Instrument Society of 
America Feb 2008 
--

Cheers, people
Stephen Loosley
Victoria, Australia