Today’s energy technology update comes from the golden state of California where Bruce Marshall of Marshall Hydrothermal has patented a system for harnessing thermal power and mineral resources from hydrothermal vents. Marshall Hydrothermal claims this is the first such system in the world. The design includes a three-meter wide insulated pipe, which could provide 20,000 megawatts of electric power – five times more than the largest US nuclear power plant – with no pollution or waste products (and since the superheated steam is located more than 200 meters beneath the ocean surface, it is unlikely to create an environmental threat in the instance of a tsunami). National Geographic estimates that hydrothermal vents can produce up to 17,000,000 megawatts of energy.
From the Marshall Hydrothermal website: “deep below the surface of the world’s oceans lies a vast and inexhaustible energy source, completely untouched by humans. Capable of providing enough power to make 20 GW+ generating stations a realistic expectation, its exploitation has only been awaiting the moment that a practical means of utilizing it could be developed.”
For more information, check out this video Marshall posted on its website: www.mevio.com/episode/192994/fen-091019.