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The Kola Superdeep Borehole reached temperatures of 500 degrees at the bottom. If you could dig down to where the temperature reaches just over 212 degrees, would you be able to run a steam engine by putting water in the hole and letting it boil to create steam to power the engine. As long as the heat remained the same and was able to properly run the steam engine, it would seem like a very renewable energy source as the water could be collected and dumped back down the hole to repeat the process indefinitely.

Kola Superdeep Borehole, https://archive.is/0zuzE Steam engines, https://www.mpoweruk.com/steam_turbines.htm

The Kola Superdeep Borehole reached temperatures of 500 degrees at the bottom. If you could dig down to where the temperature reaches just over 212 degrees, would you be able to run a steam engine by putting water in the hole and letting it boil to create steam to power the engine. As long as the heat remained the same and was able to properly run the steam engine, it would seem like a very renewable energy source as the water could be collected and dumped back down the hole to repeat the process indefinitely. Kola Superdeep Borehole, https://archive.is/0zuzE Steam engines, https://www.mpoweruk.com/steam_turbines.htm

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[–] • 2 pts 3y

I think you just made his day

[–] • 1 pt 3y

Fucking shit, this made my day.

Would it be possible to run this on my own land?

[–] • 0 pt 3y (edited 3y)

The simple/cheap answer is yes, but will it generate electricity? Most likely not. The majority of home geothermal power is for reducing heating costs (both heating and cooling) by using the stable temperature of the earth below the frost line.

If you had the cash to spend on a deep drilling and equipment then yes you could have stable year round power in many locations.

[+] [deleted] • 1 pt 3y