Which voltage option produces more MVAR per mile when energized?

The production of MVAR (megavolt-amperes reactive) per mile depends significantly on the voltage level of the transmission line. In general, higher voltage levels allow for more MVAR production because reactive power is directly related to the voltage level in AC systems.

When looking at the options, the 230 kV cable stands out as it strikes a balance between being sufficiently high in voltage, which maximizes MVAR production, without being as high as the 345 kV AC line or the 500 kV AC line, which may have other limiting factors such as losses or design characteristics that can affect efficiency over longer distances.

In practical terms, while both the 345 kV AC line and the 500 kV AC line can produce high MVAR levels, they may not necessarily do so as effectively per mile compared to a 230 kV cable due to various factors including line design, insulation, and the physical limitations of cable versus line. The 138 kV cable will provide the least MVAR production because it operates at the lowest voltage among the options.

Therefore, selecting the 230 kV cable as the option that produces the most MVAR per mile aligns with the principle that higher voltage levels contribute to increased capacity for