Hybridizing HVDC transmission with non-local energy storage and large dispatchable loads for load leveling

Elpipes are polymer-insulated underground HVDC electric pipelines based on low cost metallic conductors. Elpipes use relatively rigid extruded conductors designed for higher capacity and efficiency than is practical for overhead power lines. In this paper, we discuss the application of elpipes (or any other long distance low-loss HVDC transmission technology in principle) for linking load centers to remote dispatchable hydro power, energy storage sites, and large dispatchable loads, to achieve load leveling through a combination of non-local storage and dispatchable loads, at lower cost than local storage. Elpipes together with voltage source converters (VSC) enable placing many AC/DC power taps on one single HVDC loop. It is advantageous to build a continental scale HVDC grid up from local loops that tie together perhaps a dozen taps.