"Paul F. Dietz" wrote in message
news
Mike Combs wrote:

A power grid spanning the entire globe of the moon would be a pretty
formidable industrial accomplishment. I can't see it happening in any
near-term future.

I suspect a power grid on the moon is considerably more difficult than
one on earth, even ignoring the difference in labor cost. A high voltage
conductor in dense air is insulated by that air, but in vacuum you'll be
constantly generating high energy ions and electrons in the surrounding
plasma,
and possibly causing runaway discharge due to their collision with
surfaces
and secondary ion production.

That's assuming that you'd run the cables suspended above the surface
somehow...

If you were serious, you'd probably direct bury them - AIUI, moon dust is a
great insulator.

Cameron:-)