Harnessing Earth's Alternate Power: Boiling Water & Turbines

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In summary: Someone told me Tesla got all his power by "sucking it out of the atmosphere" somehow with giant towers, and that this caused all kinds of crazy light shows around his laboratory.
  • #1
bassplayer142
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Couldn't we tap into the mantle of the Earth and boil water to turn turbines. I'm sure there are places on Earth where lava can come up to the surface. Either that dig in a some shallow places. I don't know jack about the Earth's crust thickness or the impact on the Earth itself.
 
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  • #2
Yes. It's called geothermal energy, and it's in use in many places already.

- Warren
 
  • #3
This is going intoa tangent. But what about N. Telsa's idea for harnessing energy through the Earth's plasma? Why hasn't anyone done anything about that?
 
  • #4
Ohhh, I always thought geothermal energy had something to do with compost or something. How come everything I think up has alreadly been thought of...:)
 
  • #5
I am a 1.5 hour drive away from a 30 megawatt geothermal plant, it doesn't involve a lot of drilling, the heat escapes through vents naturally in some ares. Along with hydroelectric this is one of the most reliable alternative fuels.
 
  • #6
Weave said:
This is going intoa tangent. But what about N. Telsa's idea for harnessing energy through the Earth's plasma? Why hasn't anyone done anything about that?
Because it is gibberish. The closest idea to coherent I've heard attributed to Tesla was using the Earth's magnetic field to set up a resonance in a coil (nothing to do with plasma). But the fact of the matter is that the Earth's magnetic field is so weak it can't be used to drive a transformer.

The interesting things to come out of that line of research were in radio communications, not power generation/transmission.
 
  • #8
bassplayer142 said:
Ohhh, I always thought geothermal energy had something to do with compost or something.

Are you thinking of biofuels?

How come everything I think up has alreadly been thought of...:)

Because you alone aren't smarter than millions of scientists and engineers combined, maybe? :wink:

russ_watters said:
Because it is gibberish. The closest idea to coherent I've heard attributed to Tesla was using the Earth's magnetic field to set up a resonance in a coil (nothing to do with plasma). But the fact of the matter is that the Earth's magnetic field is so weak it can't be used to drive a transformer.

Someone told me Tesla got all his power by "sucking it out of the atmosphere" somehow with giant towers, and that this caused all kinds of crazy light shows around his laboratory.

I never bothered to look it up. Where did he get all the power for his gadgets? I mean, he was living before and during the beginning of electrification, so he must have had some private power source.
 

FAQ: Harnessing Earth's Alternate Power: Boiling Water & Turbines

What is the concept behind harnessing Earth's alternate power through boiling water and turbines?

The concept behind harnessing Earth's alternate power through boiling water and turbines is to use the natural energy of steam to turn a turbine, which then generates electricity. This is known as a steam turbine power plant.

How does boiling water produce energy?

Boiling water produces energy by converting the heat energy from the water into steam. When water is heated, it turns into steam, which expands and creates pressure. This pressure is then used to turn the blades of a turbine, which generates mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is then converted into electricity through a generator.

What are the benefits of using this method to generate electricity?

One of the main benefits of using boiling water and turbines to generate electricity is that it is a renewable and sustainable source of energy. This method also produces minimal pollution and has a low carbon footprint compared to traditional forms of energy production. Additionally, the technology used is relatively simple and can be implemented on a small or large scale.

What are the challenges of harnessing Earth's alternate power through boiling water and turbines?

One of the main challenges of this method is the need for a reliable source of heat to boil the water. This can be achieved through various means such as burning fossil fuels, using geothermal energy, or harnessing solar energy. Another challenge is the high initial cost of building a steam turbine power plant, although the long-term benefits often outweigh this cost.

How is this method being used in the real world?

This method is currently being used in various countries around the world, with a focus on renewable sources of heat such as geothermal and solar energy. Some examples include the Hellisheiði Power Station in Iceland, which harnesses geothermal energy to power a steam turbine, and the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California, which uses concentrated solar power to produce steam for its turbines. Other countries, such as China and India, are also investing in this technology to decrease their reliance on fossil fuels.

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