What are the documented pros (i.e. positives) of using high voltage power cables
in the environment?

hello raghi


The high Voltage  reduces the transmission loss,
as explained here
http://gcsephysics.com/pme26.htm

The effect can be easily measured and verified by simple experiment
http://faculty.millikin.edu/~jaskill.nsm.faculty.mu/EXP46.HTML

Energy  lost in transmission  would have to be replaced by producing
more electricity -
e.g.  burning more coal on case of coal-fired power plant - and  so
producing more greenhouse gases.
(formulas, examples from Australia regions).
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/challenge/tools/workbook/factorsmethod_appendix1.html

Historically, the use of the high voltage transmission lines,  enabled
the long distance energy
distribution. There was a  controversy concerning choice of AC vs. DC
current,  which today is less
significant due to new technologies.

Today benefits of using the high voltage (low current)  to cut
transmission loss
are  based on well understood physics (Joule Law) and long  tested
engineering practice,
They are not in doubt today.

There is an ongoing controversy, in which possible negative health
impacts are
of concern to some parties. No evidence considered credible by the
mainstream,
(such as IEEE) was presented to this day. This report is by a
concerned party:
http://www.emfservices.com/article.htm

The development od superconductors (LTS and HTS) may lead to placement
of the transmission
lines underground and use completely new method of transmission.
www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1531/MR1531.ch2.pdf

Search Terms

electricity transmission loss
superconductors LTS HTS
Joule law

hedgie

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Request for Answer Clarification by raghi-ga on 22 Apr 2003 15:29 PDT

In terms of the environment (people, plants, air, etc, etc), are there
any positives or pros to using high voltage power cables? I already
know the pros in terms of power efficiency and transmission.

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Clarification of Answer by hedgie-ga on 23 Apr 2003 11:44 PDT

No.
    Some people may think it is pretty, but it would be a distinct minority.
    There is a slight heating of the enviroment. In some climate the plants,
    even animals may appreciate it. It is quite weak.

 I suppose you mean using a high voltage as compared to low voltage lines.
 If you mean it in the absolute sense, like using high voltage lines rather 
 then none, there are considerable and rather obvious benefits. 
 Appart from that I cannot find any benefits, not even the unproven ones.

 It may be useful for other things, such as landmarks or as symbols,
see e.g.
 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/books/biography/0792280121.html
 but even here the the postive aspect stems from their utility.

 There is an enviromental benefit of having a long distance
 transmission capability, because distant resources, 
 such as Niagara Falls, Hoover Dam, ..can be used even when there is no
 large local demand. But that also falls under the efficiency of the transmission.

A controversial claim can be made for 'magnetic therapy', such as here
http://www.metalmedic.com/Magnetic-Health-information.html
which are more then dubious. Even if they would be true, there would
be a better, more economical way to produce such fields.

So,
 answer to you questions is:

  NO. There are no direct enviromental benefits to power lines, high
 or low voltage.
  All benefits are derived from their utility, from delivered power.


Additional search terms

benefits power lines
electromagnetic, magnetic therapy,

hedgie