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Re:The New Atomic Age We Need by lyschoening on Saturday November 28, 2015 @04:08PM (#10642436)
A large enough HVDC grid would almost totally eliminate the need for backup power. There's always wind or sun somewhere and HVDC transmission losses are <5% per 1,000mi. It's possible to build a grid where pumped and battery storage alone can smoothen out any fluctuations.
Re:The New Atomic Age We Need by Terr_ on Saturday November 28, 2015 @04:36PM (#10642541)
Then you'd need a global network for sun at night, which has correspondingly greater challenges in terms of coordination and "booting" it back up.