A Global Power Grid with Glass-Insulated HVDC Cables: A Bold Proposal
This post proposes a revolutionary concept: a global undersea power transmission system using fused silica (glass) as insulation. Fused silica offers superior insulation strength and low cost, enabling significantly thinner and cheaper cables. To overcome glass's inflexibility, the author suggests continuous on-board cable manufacturing and direct laying. The cable design involves an aluminum conductor surrounded by a silica insulator, with surface hardening replacing outer protection. The post details HVDC cable voltage selection, manufacturing processes, laying procedures, solutions for challenges like storms and geological movements, and economic analysis. While facing significant technical hurdles and high R&D costs, the author believes this low-cost undersea cable technology holds immense potential to transform global power transmission.