Thu, Oct 28, 2010 Permanent linkThis is very good news indeed ;)
my feeling is that our current energy crisis will be solved sonner or later with an unexpected solution, and this article is a nice example of that!
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 Permanent linkReading the past reveals the futur. So many of the inventions we call today novelty are actually thoughts of creators of the past. The inventions are staying the same. It is their quality and precision that increase.
Quote from Nikola Tesla...
"The arrangement of one of the great terrestrial power plants of the future.
Water is circulated to the bottom of the shaft, returning as steam to drive
the turbine, and then returned to liquid form in the condenser, in an
unending cycle."
http://www.tfcbooks.com/tesla/1931-12-00.htm
The Tesla bladeless turbine was to be used for this process as it's construction allows it to substain incredible pressures and temperature.
Other quotes from Tesla...
". . . while the condensed water flows by gravity through another pipe reaching to depth at which the temperature of the ground exceeds that of the condensate. By circulating the steam in great volume through the turbine and condenser I am able to maintain a considerable temperature difference between the ground and the interior of the shaft, so that a very great quantity of heat flows into the same continually; to be transformed into mechanical work. The only requisite is a sufficient volume of cooling water."
Excerpt from "Sea Power Plant Designed by Tesla"
"By this method it is practicable to supply all the power which a small community may require from a shaft of moderate depth, certainly less than a mile. And for isolated dwellings a few hundred feet depth would be ample, particularly if such a fluid such as ether is employed for running the turbine."
[New York Times, Nov. 8, 1931]
I'm glad we see this idea arise again. Maybe this time is the good one.
Within reach of current technologies we have two non-polluting resources capable of powering cities: geothermal and tidal energy. If this special thermal fluid helps geothermal spread, good for them. Investors will review the technology and economic promises. Compare with similar installations. If it is plausible, have a go at it.
Half-Synapse
How patents prevent rather than promote adoption of new technologies