Very interesting discussion covering a lot of territory. Thanks for the power AC/DC links, most informative. I'd guess some of the technical considerations for constructing in the unpopulated areas will be easier to deal with. It still has to be safe of course, but different field effect issues around populations don't exist...
Some discussions I have had revolve around the pity that superconductors are not quite widespread/mainstream. With the eventual size and scale of GDY perhaps supplying substantial chunks of Australia's power, a supercooled single line would cost billions, BUT imagine one line supplying 20-40 GW or so... probably a pipe dream, but compared to the resources of 5 parallel 500MW monster lines and all of the metal used (mined at Olympic Dam !!).
Re the costs, we don't have the ultra high capacity lines in Oz that you see in Europe/US (living in the Hunter Valley there's a myriad of mid-sized 330kV lines, but head to Mannheim in Germany to see the big boys). Having seen the monsters needed, I have no doubt that even $3-4M per km or mile is the potential cost. But that gives the highest reward per cost.
As for the idea of heat reinjection, yes it sounds a very interesting possibility. IMO it would entirely depend on the 'lossiness' of the electrical system as to whether it is worth it. But the idea of 'recharging' rundown wells may be a good payback.
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