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Comment by vardump

3 years ago

We need to figure out how to reduce long distance power transfer.

Imagine a global power distribution network, the entire world could be 100% solar & wind. Perhaps one day...

Imagine someone invents low cost high temperature superconductors which enable fusion reactors, to much fanfare. Until everyone slowly realizes that we can use those same conductors to balance low cost electricity globally for less money.

Not going to happen for geopolitical reasons ever, unless we have a one king for the whole planet.

  • Why couldn't countries just keep dirty coal generators and coal delivery infrastructure mothballed such that if power delivery from the other country is cut, just spin up the coal plants for a while until it gets sorted out. The cost of all of that may be less than the cost savings of importing electricity from a far-away country.