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rootusrootus a day ago

Aside from the physics, HVDC doesn't compete successfully on cost. It's cheaper to overbuild PV and use batteries.

Aachen a day ago | parent [-]

... aside from the physics? What factors into this cost calculation other than the physics of solar panels, batteries, and cables?

rootusrootus a day ago | parent [-]

Infrastructure (heck, just the conversion points alone are a huge part of the cost), but also regulatory hurdles like getting rights-of-way. Running an HVDC line is quite expensive; last time I saw the numbers crunched, it was basically impossible to make it work financially, no matter how efficient the lines were.