[TowerTalk] DC very high voltage transmission lines

[Jim Lux]

At 10:17 PM 8/15/2006, Michael Tope wrote:

>----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Lux" <jimlux at earthlink.net>
>
>>>  They have experimented with lines up to 1 million volts in the U.S. and
>>>we do have some lines running DC now in the states.
>>
>>The Pacific Intertie includes is a +/- 400 kV DC link that has been in
>>operation since the 1960s
>>http://www.abb.com/cawp/gad02181/c3e8e6cc588aa8c3c1256d8800402284.aspx
>>This link (now running at +/- 500kV, since 1982) terminates at the Sylmar
>>converter substation just north of Los Angeles and carries arount 3 GW.
>
>I seem to recall someone telling me that the Sylmar link was capable of 
>single-ended
>operation against a ground return?

Yes.. actually a sea return.  There's a bunch of "ground electrodes" in the 
ocean, at least at the southern end.  A 48 km transmission line connects 
them.  One of those links describes it.


>Mike W4EF.............................
>