The article discusses the potential of transforming power transmission efficiency with carbon nanotubes. It suggests that as the global population increases, the need for a 100-400% increase from existing energy production to meet increased living standards is increasing. Copper and aluminium cables are reaching peak efficiency due to heating effects from intrinsic electrical resistance within the cables. The article suggests that the ageing infrastructure of conventional aluminium conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) cables limits the volume of electricity transmitted. Innovations like composite materials for conductor cores may provide an improvement, but this will continue to cause problems. The author suggests that an improved power cable (a ‘quantum’ conductor) could be used to rewire the electrical transmission grid, enabling continental and worldwide electrical energy transport. The length of each SWCNT can be a bottleneck, but the aspect ratio (length-to-diameter) is the most important factor currently controlling strength and electrical conductivity.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
