are there better more creative way to transmit power via lasers or heat via lasers over lightwight fiberoptics instead

To determine the weight of the 28 AWG aluminum wire for transmitting 100 kW of power over 100 km at 500 kV, we'll use the calculations we've already performed.

### Key Parameters
- **Wire Gauge:** 28 AWG
- **Length:** 100 km (100,000 meters)
- **Material:** Aluminum
- **Density of Aluminum:** \( 2,700 \ \text{kg/m}^3 \)
- **Cross-Sectional Area of 28 AWG Aluminum Wire:** \( 0.0810 \ \text{mm}^2 = 0.0810 \times 10^{-6} \ \text{m}^2 \)

### Weight Calculation
1. **Volume of the Wire:**
   \[
   \text{Volume} = \text{Cross-Sectional Area} \times \text{Length}
   \]
   \[
   \text{Volume} = 0.0810 \times 10^{-6} \ \text{m}^2 \times 100,000 \ \text{m} = 8.10 \times 10^{-3} \ \text{m}^3
   \]

2. **Weight of the Wire:**
   \[
   \text{Weight} = \text{Volume} \times \text{Density}
   \]
   \[
   \text{Weight} = 8.10 \times 10^{-3} \ \text{m}^3 \times 2,700 \ \text{kg/m}^3 = 21.87 \ \text{kg}
   \]

### Final Answer
The total weight of the 28 AWG aluminum wire required to transmit 100 kW of power over 100 km at 500 kV is **21.87 kg**.

Comprehensive Analysis for High-Power Transmission Over 100 Kilometers
Project Overview
Project Title:
Transmission of 100 Kilowatts Over 100 Kilometers Using Aluminum and Copper Wires (20 AWG to 40 AWG)

Objective:
To evaluate the feasibility of transmitting 100 kilowatts (kW) of power over a 100-kilometer (km) distance using aluminum and copper wires ranging from 20 AWG to 40 AWG. The goal is to determine the required voltage and assess whether the selected wire gauges can safely handle the necessary current with acceptable power losses.

Key Considerations
Power Transmission Basics:
Power (P): 100 kW
Distance (L): 100 km
Transmission Type: Single-wire (assuming a return path exists or utilizing single-wire earth return)
Acceptable Power Loss (P_loss): ≤10% of P (i.e., ≤10 kW)
Fundamental Equations:
Power Equation:
[
P = V \times I
]
Power Loss (Resistive):
[
P_{\text{loss}} = I^2 \times R_{\text{total}}
]
Voltage Requirement for Acceptable Losses:
To ensure ( P_{\text{loss}} \leq 10,000 ) W, the required voltage ( V ) can be derived as:
[
V \geq 1,000 \times \sqrt{R_{\text{total}}}
]
Wire Specifications
The following table outlines the specifications for aluminum and copper wires from 20 AWG to 40 AWG, including calculations for transmitting 100 kW over 100 km with power losses not exceeding 10 kW.

Table: Transmission Requirements and Feasibility (20 AWG to 40 AWG)
AWG	Material	Diameter (mm)	Cross-Section Area (mm²)	Resistance (Ω/km)	Total Resistance (Ω)	√R_total	Required Voltage (V)	Current (A)	Max Current (A)	Safe?
20	Copper	0.813	0.518	32.4	3,240	56.92	56,920	1,757	5.00	Yes
20	Aluminum	0.813	0.518	54.45	5,445	73.82	73,820	1,355	3.00	Yes
22	Copper	0.644	0.326	51.55	5,155	71.82	71,820	1,392	3.00	Yes
22	Aluminum	0.644	0.326	86.58	8,658	93.03	93,030	1,075	1.80	Yes
24	Copper	0.511	0.205	81.95	8,195	90.53	90,530	1,104	2.00	Yes
24	Aluminum	0.511	0.205	137.56	13,756	117.28	117,280	853	1.20	Yes
26	Copper	0.404	0.129	130.23	13,023	114.06	114,060	877	1.50	Yes
26	Aluminum	0.404	0.129	218.60	21,860	148.94	148,940	672	0.90	Yes
28	Copper	0.321	0.081	207.41	20,741	143.73	143,730	696	1.00	Yes
28	Aluminum	0.321	0.081	348.15	34,815	186.57	186,570	536	0.60	Yes
30	Copper	0.254	0.050	336.00	33,600	183.53	183,530	545	0.70	Yes
30	Aluminum	0.254	0.050	564.00	56,400	237.32	237,320	422	0.42	Yes
32	Copper	0.203	0.032	525.00	52,500	229.12	229,120	436	0.45	Yes
32	Aluminum	0.203	0.032	881.25	88,125	297.00	297,000	337	0.27	Yes
34	Copper	0.160	0.020	840.00	84,000	289.83	289,830	345	0.30	Yes
34	Aluminum	0.160	0.020	1410.00	141,000	375.00	375,000	267	0.18	Yes
36	Copper	0.127	0.012	1,400.00	140,000	374.16	374,160	267	0.20	Yes
36	Aluminum	0.127	0.012	2,350.00	235,000	484.85	484,850	206	0.12	Yes
38	Copper	0.102	0.008	2,100.00	210,000	458.25	458,250	218	0.10	Yes
38	Aluminum	0.102	0.008	3,525.00	352,500	593.75	593,750	169	0.06	Yes
40	Copper	0.079	0.005	3,360.00	336,000	580.69	580,690	172	0.05	Yes
40	Aluminum	0.079	0.005	5,640.00	564,000	751.00	751,000	133	0.03	Yes
Notes:

Diameter (mm): Outer diameter of the bare wire.
Cross-Section Area (mm²): Conductor area.
Resistance (Ω/km): Electrical resistance per kilometer.
Total Resistance (Ω): Total resistance over 100 km.
√R_total: Square root of total resistance.
Required Voltage (V): Minimum voltage to ensure power loss ≤10 kW.
Current (A): Current required to transmit 100 kW at the required voltage.
Max Current (A): Maximum safe current based on previous ampacity calculations.
Safe?: Indicates whether the required current is within the safe operating limits of the wire.
Interpretation of the Table
Voltage Requirements:
Copper Wires:
20 AWG: Requires ~57 kV
40 AWG: Requires ~581 kV
Aluminum Wires:
20 AWG: Requires ~74 kV
40 AWG: Requires ~751 kV
Current Requirements:
The current required decreases as the transmission voltage increases.
All calculated currents are well within the maximum allowable currents for the respective wire gauges.
Feasibility:
Achieving High Voltages:
Transmitting 100 kW over 100 km using 20-40 AWG wires necessitates very high voltages (tens to hundreds of kilovolts).
Such high voltages present significant insulation and safety challenges, especially with thinner wires.
Insulation Constraints:
Standard magnet wire insulation (e.g., polyesterimide) may not reliably handle voltages exceeding 100 kV, especially at thinner gauges.
Specialized insulation systems would be required, potentially increasing the overall wire diameter beyond practical limits.
Practical Limitations:
Implementing and maintaining insulation for wires operating at ~600 kV is highly impractical with 20-40 AWG sizes.
Environmental factors, such as corona discharge, arcing, and physical wear over long distances, further complicate feasibility.
Recommendations
Re-evaluate Wire Gauge:
Lower AWG (Thicker Wires):
Using thicker wires (lower AWG number, e.g., 10 AWG) can reduce resistance, thereby decreasing the required transmission voltage and power losses.
Larger Cross-Section Areas:
Increasing the conductor area lowers resistance, which could make lower voltages feasible for the desired power transmission.
Increase Transmission Voltage Strategically:
Higher, Standardized Voltages:
Utilize standardized high-voltage transmission levels (e.g., 115 kV, 230 kV) to balance between insulation feasibility and power loss.
This approach leverages existing high-voltage infrastructure designs and materials.
Implement Multi-Wire Systems:
Parallel Conductors:
Distributing the current across multiple wires can reduce the required current per wire, mitigating thermal and resistive losses.
Phase Systems:
Adopting three-phase transmission systems can improve power transmission efficiency and reduce the number of required conductors.
Enhance Insulation Systems:
Advanced Insulation Materials:
Use high-dielectric-strength materials (e.g., XLPE, silicone-based insulators) designed for ultra-high-voltage applications.
Double or Triple Insulation Layers:
Incorporate multiple insulation layers to increase dielectric strength and provide redundancy against insulation failure.
Consider Alternative Transmission Methods:
High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC):
HVDC systems can offer lower losses over long distances compared to alternating current (AC) systems and might be more efficient for your project.
Superconducting Cables:
While experimental and costly, superconducting materials eliminate resistive losses entirely, though they require cryogenic cooling.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance:
Adhere to Electrical Codes:
Ensure all designs comply with National Electrical Code (NEC) standards and local regulations.
Implement Comprehensive Safety Protocols:
Utilize proper grounding, surge protection, and fault detection systems to safeguard against high-voltage hazards.
Consult with Electrical Engineers:
Professional Expertise:
Engage with qualified electrical engineers to validate designs, conduct detailed simulations, and ensure the practical feasibility of the proposed systems.
Summary
Transmitting 100 kW over a 100 km distance using single aluminum or copper wires ranging from 20 AWG to 40 AWG is theoretically possible but practically unfeasible due to the extraordinarily high voltages required and the limitations of wire insulation and safety. To achieve efficient and safe high-power transmission over such distances, it is advisable to:

Utilize thicker wires with lower AWG numbers,
Implement advanced insulation techniques,
Consider standardized high-voltage transmission systems,
Explore multi-wire or phase transmission methodologies.
By adhering to these recommendations, you can design a more viable and efficient power transmission system for your project.

Additional Suggestions
Use of High-Voltage Simulation Software:
Employ simulation tools (e.g., PSpice, MATLAB Simulink) to model power transmission scenarios and optimize wire selection before physical implementation.
Incorporate Redundancy and Fail-Safes:
Design the system with backup conductors or fail-safe mechanisms to ensure continuous power delivery in case of conductor failure.
Environmental Impact Assessment:
Evaluate the environmental implications of long-distance power transmission, including land use, electromagnetic interference, and ecological disturbances.
Scalability Considerations:
Design the system to accommodate potential future increases in power demand or transmission distances without significant overhauls.
References
Alconex Gold Magnet Wire Specifications: Alconex Gold Products
American Wire Gauge (AWG) Standards: AWG Information
National Electrical Code (NEC) Standards: NEC Guidelines
High-Voltage Power Transmission Principles: Power Transmission Resources
Safety Guidelines for High-Voltage Experiments: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards
HVDC Transmission Information: HVDC Basics


again we're exploring how we can transmit power via lasers instead of thin coppers