> wouldn't it actually make a ton more sense to use that to decarbonize the rest of our energy infrastructure
Some portion of electricity is lost in transmission the longer the distances no? At some point it makes more sense for solar panels in San Diego to desalinize right next to them then try to get that energy to Maine.
High voltage transmission lines are remarkably efficient, with losses of 2-3% per 1000km. And while I assume you were using hyperbole, nobody needs to get power from San Diego to Maine in the first place.
It's hyperbolic, but isn't the result the same if San Diego gives solar power to Utah, and then Utah gives power to Kansas, then Pennsylvania, then Maine? But if that's only ~10% (4,500km across the US) that's not bad.
Some portion of electricity is lost in transmission the longer the distances no? At some point it makes more sense for solar panels in San Diego to desalinize right next to them then try to get that energy to Maine.