Envirowhat???

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

. So electrical power can be driven further better at high voltages (DC same as AC) but it's AC thats easier, cheaper to make into high and low voltages as needed.

Nice analysis, actually from what I understand the power purchased in New England supplied by Hydro Quebec is supplied via 450kv DC lines. The reason can be obtained from the following paragraph from the Hydro Quebec website:

http://www.hydroquebec.com/transener...ristiques.html

"Another specialty of Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie is direct-current (DC) power transmission, used to facilitate the transmission of large quantities of power over long distances at high voltages (e.g. 450 kV). This technique enables interchanges with neighboring grids; power can be transferred between two asynchronous alternating-current (AC) systems.

"This is notably the case with its multiterminal DC system (MDCS). Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie's MDCS link includes the first converter substation of its kind in the world. This link begins by transmitting direct current along some 1,200 km between James Bay and Nicolet substation, in the heart of the inhabited part of Québec. Nicolet substation also receives alternating current from the Manic-Outardes complex and Churchill Falls generating station in Labrador. An energy hub, Nicolet substation plays an important role in securing the power supply. In addition to helping meet the demand of several large urban centres, the substation is used to export and import electricity due to its ability to transform AC into DC and then back to AC."

*** Color and bold added for emphasis..

Asyncronous AC power plants connected via a wire without compensation must be quite a (short lived) sight.