What did you find when Pacific Northwest National Laboratories was the largest and deepest gold mine in North America? The answer may be enough energy to get 10,000,000 homes. The Advanced Geothermal Systems project involves labs and academia, as well as several industry partners, and aims to test the sending of liquids beneath boreholes so that the earth can heat them. Hot liquids, of course, can easily generate electricity.
At 4,100 feet underground, getting old mines is not very convenient. However, modern technology means that the tools are largely automated so that workers can perform tests from home using a computer or even a phone. The system itself is 7 feet long by 7 feet wide and 30 feet long. It was assembled on the ground, tested, and then divided into 4 × 4 sections for deep transport to the surface.
The work tunnel is air-conditioned, although once you get down for your shift at 6:30 AM, you can’t go back until 6:30 PM so working from home is a definite advantage.
Some researchers from the project recently hosted a “deep discussion” (we saw what they did there) and you can watch the video below.
Unusually, you can get heat from the earth or you can throw heat on the earth. Great way to cool down your next gaming rig.