1. Electro Pulse Boring (EPB): Novel Rock-breaking Technology for
Low-cost Access to Benign, Inexhaustible, Autonomous, Baseload,
Ultra-deep (5-10 km) Geothermal Heat – Anywhere on Earth
Alaska Applied Sciences, Inc Juneau, Alaska USA
Bill Leighty, Principal Cell
> Proof-of-concept: 50 cm diameter to 200 m in granite, at NTNU, Norway, with surface-mount pulse generator
> Goals: 1. $ 150 per meter, 50 cm diam borehole, to 5 – 10 km depth, anywhere on Earth, at 1 m / minute
2. Single borehole, closed system, thermosiphon, hot water return via insulated center pipe
3. No deep fracking; no earthquakes; not “hydrothermal”; small prospecting risk; useful for EGS
C hot $ 0.02 / kWh: $ 0.04 / kWh, plus District Heat System (DHS)
> Challenge, A. TRL-3 now: need Down Hole Pulse Generator design, build, test: operate at full depth T and P
Opportunity B. ~ $ 20 million for equipment development, test borings, to validate economic potential
C. ~ $ 150 million to TRL-8: pre-commercialization, equipment production, sale, lease, franchise
D. Compact, transportable equipment: no drill rig. Distributed, renewable, in remote locations
E. Supply all humanity’s energy, for all purposes, forever – with proper plant management
F. Minimize transmission, storage, distribution infrastructure capex and O&M costs: DER
G. Swords into plowshares: pulsed power technology from Directed Energy Weapons (DEW)
Electro Pulse
Boring (EPB)
2006 bit design
High voltage
(400 – 700 kV)
electrode
assembly
NTNU, Trondheim
Norway
The borehead is inverted: electrodes are downward.
The Down Hole Pulse Generator is immediately above.
Is a 99 % borehole cost reduction at 8 km depth possible ?