I think this would depend on voltage. Transporting 800 amps 10 miles is done all the time -- a normal house has 100-200A service.

The issue is that this is 230 KV, vs. 230V.

I didn't know this, I can see how a house appliance might consume several dozens of amps but 100 to 200 amps? Wow, that is a lot. I don't have much knowledge about power transmission (which is one of the most fascinating fields in electrical engineering, in my opinion) so I'll take your word for it.

You can have a small crappy house/apartment with 40-60A service, for sure. But electric appliances (hot water heaters, clothes dryers, ovens/ranges, etc.) can be 50A.

A single excellent commercial electric wok is about 50-100A.

Each individual circuit is about 15-20A.

The really awesome thing now seems to be HVDC transmission -- eliminates capacitance problems and problems with multiple grids.

> The really awesome thing now seems to be HVDC transmission -- eliminates capacitance problems and problems with multiple grids.

This. Imagine a global grid connecting alternative energy sources for each optimal locale: Geothermal in Iceland, Solar in North Africa, and of course Thorium in Norway.

Peter Thiel seems to think this scenario is improbable[1] but I don't think it takes into account ABB's recent breakthrough with HVDC switching[2].

[1] http://blakemasters.tumblr.com/post/23787022006/peter-thiels... [2] http://new.abb.com/about/hvdc-grid

In London they are digging a 32km tunnel using TBM's to carry 400kV AC lines.

They are? Cool, I've not heard of this one. Any references?