from wiki- Transmission and distribution losses in the USA were estimated at 7.2% in 1995

nothing compared to what we spend later to save now.
We have to move away from being so concerned about inital cost and look at energy cost over the lifetime.

Look at a old strip malls roof, poorly insulated, no solar. Small lowest efficiency air conditioner made, crappy ductwork, probably a jacked up thermostat running at who knows what hours.
Hey it all goes on the tenants electric meter right.

Lessors need to build central plants and sell tenants chilled water.
Imagine roofs cover with solar instead of low efficiency air conditioners.

Building automation has become pretty much standard, recently required in bigger buildings, but the quality of the HVAC and controls has to come way up.

more insulation, more solar, better lighting, more frequency drives on motors, better hvac, better automation, even more insulation, even more solar.

The only thing that will ever drive it is the cost of electricity.

Mag lev bearings have been in a few large tonnage chillers for 15 years but need to be become much more popular and used in many application. Imagine zero friction.