Would high voltage DC power grids work the same?

[greypilgrim]

Hi.

As far as I know, the main reason for using AC in electric power transmission is that voltage can easily be transformed.

If there was a similarly easy way for transforming DC, would power grids work basically the same? To be more specific, how much does AC power transmission rely on the Earth as ground working as a capacitor rather than an ohmic resistor?

 

[Borek]

Have you even tried to google for an answer?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-voltage_direct_current

 

[anorlunda]

Hi.

As far as I know, the main reason for using AC in electric power transmission is that voltage can easily be transformed.

If there was a similarly easy way for transforming DC, would power grids work basically the same?

Yes there is a way of transforming DC, but only conceptually so far. See this recent thread.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/dc-to-dc-power-transformer.921023/

To be more specific, how much does AC power transmission rely on the Earth as ground working as a capacitor rather than an ohmic resistor?

No. Three phase power systems don't need the ground connection. The currents in the three phases are 120 degrees apart, they add up to zero so ideally there is no need for an Earth return. There are other reasons for neutral to ground earthing, but not to return the power current.

 

[CWatters]

To be more specific, how much does AC power transmission rely on the Earth as ground working as a capacitor..

Got a reference for that?

 

[cnh1995]

To be more specific, how much does AC power transmission rely on the Earth as ground working as a capacitor rather than an ohmic resistor?

Look up 'single wire Earth return' (SWER) system.
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&s...vAJgQFgg3MAM&usg=AOvVaw2IhqyWLeL1N85xR6ifigUT.