Soviet-era tech could change the geothermal industry

https://www.theregister.com/2022/06/28/gyrotrons_geothermal_energy/

11 4 4 years ago

Think this is the second time I've seen laser digging methods in the last month. Anyone know what route The Boring Company was/is going down for digging?

b112• 4 years ago

Gyrotron, not laser, as per article.

(A gyrotron doesn't seem to be a class of laser, any more than a light bulb is...)

ZeroGravitas• 4 years ago

They drill straight down for heat and only use the laser/microwave/whatever once they hit the bedrock layer. Boring conpany generally isn't going that deep and is going horizontal so possibly these techs don't apply.

rob74• 4 years ago

Yeah, I would say using a high-energy contraption to vaporize rock (and any other stuff that might be in the way) sometimes just a few meters away from utility lines, other tunnels, people's basements etc. is generally not recommended. Plus, for geothermal drillings, the holes are much smaller than for transportation tunnels.

Soviet-era tech could change the geothermal industry

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