CFL's the next environmental disaster?

Presently, polyphase generators are used. With traditional HVAC transmission, voltages are stepped up to the 100-500 kv range. With HVDC, the AC is converted to DC, typically up to 600 kv in a dipole configuration, and at the other end, or at taps along the way, converted back to AC

The cost of suitable semiconductors is still high enough to exclude cost-effective direct-to-home DC

 

Since Jayman wants me to chime in, I can tell you that Jayman suffers from "skin effect" on the top of his head.

Tom

 

Oh, you just wait. That thick, luxurious pelt atop your head may soon fade away too

 

Don't overlook that the initial installations of DC superconducting cables are feasible. Another factor favoring DC transmission in some situations.

 

I have a lot of hope that superconducters will be developed to be an economical replacement to present conductors. There is a large gain in efficiency, with much smaller bundles, but when you factor in cooling requirements, they cost an insane amount compared to the line losses

What we need are economical, near-room-temperature superconductors. I hope those terms don't remain mutually exclusive

 

True white LEDs will soon make recycling of CFLs non-news. Process used CFLs with your community's hazardous waste pickups.

 

That will be great, but I don't see it happening any time soon (not the next 5 years, perhaps not 10 years.) LED's cost an order of magnitude more at present, the ones available currently have somewhat lower luminous efficiency than CFL's, and directionality problems must be resolved for most general lighting applications. LED's are presently niche fillers where CFL's are impractical.

 

Tastes just like chickern !



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Yeah, I bet it does