Startup taps underwater volcano as energy source in "proof point" test

3 days ago (arstechnica.com)

I’ve been expecting Oracle to do this. It’d solve their current data center power problem. And it gives a place for Ellison to have video calls with the UN.

  • > And it gives a place for Ellison to have video calls with the UN.

    Dr Evil in shambles!

Elon is going to demand access to the Yellowstone Caldera pretty soon I'm guessing.

  • Hey man, shaving a few petawatts off that time bomb would be great.

    Geothermal power -> some % saved for atmospheric carbon extraction makes it a carbon negative endeavor.

    Relieve the US energy woes somewhat.

    Use the carbon to make methane for his rockets.

    And make some diesel fuel too, while he's at it (though he'll have to stock up on soybeans - great for his eventual presidential run)

    • Bonus if they accidentally make it explode and wipe the planet out. Simulation, restart.

Great news for island nations and territories if this can scale. There’s something very sci-fi about islands powered by underwater volcanoes, and the jobs it could create would be fascinating. Going from pearl divers to subsea power-station drone technicians, ha.

I wonder what industries it could help thrive. afaik Iceland has a relatively big aluminium smelting industry due to its cheap, excess geothermal power. Could we see new opportunities spring up in places like Kerguelen, South Georgia or Tristan da Cunha? Modern takes on whaling stations?

  • > There’s something very sci-fi about islands powered by underwater volcanoes, and the jobs it could create would be fascinating. Going from pearl divers to subsea power-station drone technicians, ha

    Volcanoes and underwater jobs? Sounds like Sci-fi Horrors

I feel that I should be able name several Jules Verne characters, "B" movie villains, and such who powered their underwater lairs and/or sinister superweapons this way - but I'm coming up blank.

Anyone?

  • The Incredibles did it second, and almost certainly there is a Bond Villian or knockoff Bond show that did it.

    • Did they though? Syndrome had a volcano base for sure, but I don't remember them ever showing a powerplant. The guy was harnessing zero point energy somehow; doesn't seem like mere lava would interest him as a power source.

      1 reply →

  • Fiat Cliche :)

    Some tropes become only known from their parodies, and they lead to other parodies.