[NickM]

Hypothetically, if we did end up with a worldwide superconducting energy grid, this would smooth load, which I would expect would make generation cheaper (since we can get rid of the need for expensive peaker plants and/or stationary storage requirements to handle local demand spikes). This would therefore make power companies more profitable, no?

[ceejayoz]

Probably depends on the power company.

The ones with a lot of coal plans would suffer; the ones with a bunch of solar/wind farms in prime locations that can dramatically expand capacity (think things like giant solar farms in the Australian outback) would benefit.

[hadlock]

HVDC and HVAC transmission lines already only see single digit transmission losses over hundreds of miles

This has bigger implications in reducing wiring (and weight) costs in things like electric vehicles. Instead of fat finger diameter 20' copper cables, you could replace them with tooth floss.

[ceejayoz]

> HVDC and HVAC transmission lines already only see single digit transmission losses over hundreds of miles

Quite a bit of the world is thousands of miles from sunlight at any particular time. Being able to power Northern Europe off solar farms in the Sahara has the potential to fix a number of challenges with green energy.

[hadlock]

Morocco has been working on this plan for ages. Coast to coast (~3000 miles) in the US is much less than 9%. It's possible with current technology, just nobody has the inclination to execute right now.