Startup taps underwater volcano as energy source in "proof point" test
Can undersea geothermal power help Pacific Rim nations cut down on oil imports?
In a groundbreaking demonstration near an active underwater volcano, a Seattle-based startup successfully tested a subsea geothermal power plant at the Axial Seamount in the northeast Pacific Ocean. The three-week deployment of the 3-ton prototype generated less than ten seconds of net-positive electricity, proving the technical feasibility of harnessing geothermal energy underwater.
The startup, Endurance Energy, aims to eventually commercialize subsea geothermal power for Pacific island nations and other customers seeking alternatives to expensive fossil fuels. According to the company's founder and CEO, Andrew Redd, the deep ocean provides unlimited cold seawater for cooling, and its weight helps maintain system pressure, allowing for compact plant designs.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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