Fellow Story
Garbesi on battle between AC and DC systems in the push for greater energy efficiency
But away from transmission lines, DC is also gaining ground as an alternative in the developing world, according to Karina Garbesi, a professor and visiting researcher at LBNL. Getting power to remote areas from an AC grid is very costly and doesn't make much sense, since some of these regions can construct wind turbines and solar farms.
"Once you start going to this whole scenario, this direct DC becomes more and more attractive," she said. "The biggest issue is going to be the transition: How are you going to go from an AC-centric world to a DC-centric world?"