As we all know, AC won the “War of the Currents”. The reasoning behind this is that AC voltage is easy to convert up/down with just a ring of iron and two coils. And high voltage allows us to transport current over longer distances, with less loss.

Now, the War of the Currents happened in 1900 (approximately), and our technology has improved a lot since then. We have useful diodes and transistors now, we have microcontrollers and Buck/Boost converters. We can transform DC voltage well today.

Additionally, photovoltaics produces DC naturally. Whereas the traditional generator has an easier time producing AC, photovoltaic plants would have to transform the power into AC, which, if I understand correctly, has a massive loss.

And then there’s the issue of stabilizing the frequency. When you have one big producer (one big hydro-electric dam or coal power plant), then stabilizing the frequency is trivial, because you only have to talk to yourself. When you have 100000 small producers (assume everyone in a bigger area has photovoltaics on their roof), then suddenly stabilizing the frequency becomes more challenging, because everybody has to work in exactly the same rhythm.

I wonder, would it make sense to change our power grid from AC to DC today? I know it would obviously be a lot of work, since every consuming device would have to change what power it accepts from the grid. But in the long run, could it be worth it? Also, what about insular networks. Would it make sense there? Thanks for taking the time for reading this, and also, I’m willing to go into the maths, if that’s relevant to the discussion.

    • cygnusEnglish
      16·
      3 months ago

      Same, that alone is reason enough to stick to AC IMO. It’s so much safer for the end user (or their kids who stick a fork into the outlet).

      • SoylentBlake@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        But low voltage dc is harmless. You can put both yr hands on the terminals to a 12v battery connecting the circuit, but nothing’s gonna happen. 110vac out the outlet will still zap some sense into ya.

        • VieuxQuebEnglish
          3·
          3 months ago

          The size of the conductors needed to carry the high amperage needed especially at low voltage would kill anyone’s budget let alone be totally impractical.

      • RouxBru@lemmy.worldEnglish
        9·
        3 months ago

        AC lets you go if you shock, DC keeps you pulled in. I’m sure if you google this there’d be a video or 2, but it’s going to be ugly

        • Pelicanen@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          1·
          3 months ago

          What do you mean AC “lets you go”? AC causes muscle contractions which keep you from, for example, letting go of a live wire.

          • RouxBru@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            3 months ago

            Look I don’t know the science behind it, and maybe I was just lucky, but in my experience I’ve always been able to pull out of an AC shock. From what I’ve heard you don’t tend to be that lucky with DC

            • Pelicanen@sopuli.xyzEnglish
              1·
              3 months ago

              DC actually has a higher “let go” threshold than AC does so you’d likely be more okay from a slightly higher voltage DC shock than a lower voltage AC shock.