Quaise Energy aims to revolutionize geothermal energy by using millimeter-wave drilling technology to access significantly deeper, hotter geothermal resources than currently possible. Conventional drilling struggles at extreme depths and temperatures, but Quaise's approach, adapted from fusion research, vaporizes rock instead of mechanically crushing it, potentially reaching depths of 20 kilometers. This could unlock vast reserves of clean energy anywhere on Earth, making geothermal a globally scalable solution. While still in the early stages, with initial field tests planned soon, Quaise believes their technology could drastically reduce the cost and expand the availability of geothermal power.
A massive power outage plunged 14 of Chile's 16 regions into darkness, impacting millions and prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. The blackout, attributed to a technical failure at a key substation, disrupted essential services including hospitals, transportation, and communications. Authorities worked to restore power, prioritizing critical infrastructure, while investigating the cause of the widespread failure.
Hacker News users discuss potential causes for the widespread blackout in Chile, including aging infrastructure, lack of investment in the grid, and the strain of increasing demand. Some speculate about cyberattacks, though no evidence is presented to support this theory. Others highlight the vulnerability of modern societies to such outages and the potential for cascading failures. A few commenters point out the irony of a blackout occurring in a country with significant renewable energy resources, suggesting a need for improved grid management and energy storage solutions. Several commenters from Chile offer firsthand accounts, describing the situation on the ground and correcting some of the initial reports in the linked article.
The post "But good sir, what is electricity?" explores the challenge of explaining electricity simply and accurately. It argues against relying solely on analogies, which can be misleading, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying physics. The author uses the example of a simple circuit to illustrate the flow of electrons driven by an electric field generated by the battery, highlighting concepts like potential difference (voltage), current (flow of charge), and resistance (impeding flow). While acknowledging the complexity of electromagnetism, the post advocates for a more fundamental approach to understanding electricity, moving beyond simplistic comparisons to water flow or other phenomena that don't capture the core principles. It concludes that a true understanding necessitates grappling with the counterintuitive aspects of electromagnetic fields and their interactions with charged particles.
Hacker News users generally praised the article for its clear and engaging explanation of electricity, particularly its analogy to water flow. Several commenters appreciated the author's ability to simplify complex concepts without sacrificing accuracy. Some pointed out the difficulty of truly understanding electricity, even for those with technical backgrounds. A few suggested additional analogies or areas for exploration, such as the role of magnetism and electromagnetic fields. One commenter highlighted the importance of distinguishing between the physical phenomenon and the mathematical models used to describe it. A minor thread discussed the choice of using conventional current vs. electron flow in explanations. Overall, the comments reflected a positive reception to the article's approach to explaining a fundamental yet challenging concept.
NYC relies on aging, polluting "peaker plants" to meet electricity demand during peak usage. These plants, often located in disadvantaged communities, burn fossil fuels and contribute significantly to air pollution. While renewable energy sources are growing, they are not yet sufficient to handle peak loads, making these plants, despite their environmental impact, a necessary evil for grid stability in the near future. The city is working to transition away from these plants through initiatives like increasing battery storage and promoting energy efficiency, but a complete phase-out remains a complex challenge.
Hacker News commenters discuss the complexities of NYC's reliance on peaker plants. Several highlight the trade-off between pollution and reliability, acknowledging the necessity of these plants during peak demand, even if undesirable. Some suggest exploring demand-side management and battery storage as alternatives, while others point to the slow pace of transmission upgrades as a hindering factor. The economic incentives for peaker plant operators are also discussed, with some arguing that the current system rewards pollution. A few commenters mention the environmental justice implications, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of these plants on marginalized communities. Finally, the possibility of microgrids and localized power generation is raised as a potential long-term solution.
Posh, a YC W22 startup, is hiring an Energy Analysis & Modeling Engineer. This role will involve building and maintaining energy models to optimize battery performance and efficiency within their virtual power plant (VPP) software platform. The ideal candidate has experience in energy systems modeling, optimization algorithms, and data analysis, preferably with a background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. They are looking for someone proficient in Python and comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment.
The Hacker News comments express skepticism and concern about Posh's business model and the specific job posting. Several commenters question the viability of Posh's approach to automating customer service for banks, citing the complexity of financial transactions and the potential for errors. Others express concerns about the low salary offered for the required skillset, particularly given the location (Boston). Some speculate about the high turnover hinted at by the constant hiring and question the long-term prospects of the company. The general sentiment seems to be one of caution and doubt about Posh's potential for success.
The French tokamak WEST (Tungsten Environment in Steady-state Tokamak) has set a new world record for plasma duration in a fusion reactor, achieving a plasma discharge lasting 390 seconds. This surpasses the previous record and represents a significant milestone in the development of sustainable fusion energy. The long duration demonstrates WEST's ability to handle the extreme heat and power fluxes associated with fusion reactions, crucial for future reactors like ITER and ultimately, the production of clean energy. This achievement validates design choices and material selections, particularly the tungsten walls, paving the way for longer, higher-performance plasma discharges.
HN commenters discuss the significance of the WEST tokamak achieving a 100+ second plasma discharge, emphasizing that while it's a step forward in sustained fusion, it's far from achieving net energy gain. Several point out that maintaining plasma temperature and stability for extended periods is crucial but distinct from generating more energy than is input. Some debate the true meaning of "world record," noting that other reactors have achieved higher temperatures or different milestones. Others express skepticism about the overall viability of fusion energy due to the ongoing technical challenges and massive resource requirements. There's also some discussion of alternative fusion approaches like stellarators and inertial confinement. Overall, the sentiment is cautious optimism tempered by a realistic understanding of the long road ahead for fusion power.
Massena, a small town in upstate New York, recently finalized its acquisition of the local power grid from National Grid after a decades-long struggle. This move creates a publicly owned electric utility, allowing Massena to control its energy future and pursue lower rates, renewable energy development, and improved reliability for residents. The transition signifies a significant victory for municipal control and potentially provides a model for other communities seeking energy independence.
Hacker News commenters generally praised Massena's move to municipalize its power, viewing it as a successful example of a community reclaiming control over essential services and potentially lowering costs. Some highlighted the long and difficult process involved in such transitions, noting the legal battles and political maneuvering required. Others pointed out the potential benefits of publicly owned utilities, including greater transparency, accountability, and reinvestment in the community. A few commenters offered cautionary notes, emphasizing the need for competent management and the potential for local politics to interfere with efficient operation. Some expressed skepticism about the replicability of this model in other locations due to varying regulatory landscapes and the entrenched power of private utilities. Several commenters also discussed the broader implications for energy independence and the transition to renewable energy sources.
Starting a city-owned utility is a viable option for municipalities seeking more control over energy prices and reliability. The article uses the example of several Northern California cities exploring the creation of a public power agency, highlighting how it could provide cheaper, cleaner energy than incumbent investor-owned utilities. By leveraging existing infrastructure and focusing on bulk power purchases, cities can significantly reduce costs, potentially offering substantial savings for residents and businesses while facilitating the transition to renewable energy sources. This approach also allows for greater local control over energy policy and priorities, aligning with community goals for sustainability and affordability.
HN commenters generally support the idea of municipally-owned utilities, citing potential benefits like lower costs, greater local control, and faster deployment of renewables. Some raise concerns about the complexities and costs involved in starting a new utility, including navigating regulations and acquiring infrastructure. Several comments highlight existing successful municipal utilities as examples, while others emphasize the need for careful planning and execution to avoid mismanagement. The potential conflict of interest between a city government both regulating and operating a utility is also noted. A few commenters express skepticism about the feasibility and efficiency of such ventures compared to existing private utilities, citing potential bureaucratic inefficiencies. Some suggest that community choice aggregation (CCA) might be a better alternative to starting a completely new utility.
The article details the complex and delicate process of transporting the massive KATRIN experiment, designed to measure the mass of the neutrino, from various construction sites across Germany to its final destination at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. This involved meticulous planning and execution, including disassembling components, transporting them via barge and truck, and then reassembling the entire apparatus with incredible precision. The journey, spanning months and hundreds of kilometers, faced numerous logistical challenges, such as navigating narrow roads and rivers, and required constant monitoring to ensure the sensitive equipment remained undamaged. The successful completion of this logistical feat marked a major milestone in the quest to understand the fundamental properties of neutrinos.
HN commenters discuss the challenges and complexities of the KATRIN experiment, highlighting the incredible precision required to measure neutrino mass. Some express awe at the engineering feat, particularly the vacuum system and the size of the spectrometer. Others delve into the scientific implications of determining the neutrino mass, linking it to cosmological models and the nature of dark matter. There's skepticism about the feasibility of ever directly detecting a neutrino, given their weakly interacting nature, but also optimism about the potential for KATRIN and future experiments to refine our understanding of fundamental physics. Several commenters lament the lack of mainstream media coverage for such a significant scientific endeavor. A few offer technical insights into the experiment's design and the difficulties in eliminating background noise.
Summary of Comments ( 51 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43335144
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about Quaise's claims of revolutionizing geothermal drilling with millimeter-wave energy. Several highlight the immense energy requirements needed to vaporize rock at depth, questioning the efficiency and feasibility compared to conventional methods. Concerns are raised about the potential for unintended consequences like creating glass plugs or triggering seismic activity. The lack of publicly available data and the theoretical nature of the technology draw further criticism. Some compare it unfavorably to existing directional drilling techniques. While acknowledging the potential benefits of widespread geothermal energy, the prevailing sentiment is one of cautious pessimism, with many doubting Quaise's ability to deliver on its ambitious promises. The discussion also touches upon alternative approaches like enhanced geothermal systems and the challenges of heat extraction at extreme depths.
The Hacker News post discussing the MSN article about Quaise Energy's geothermal drilling technology generated a lively discussion with several compelling comments.
Many commenters focused on the practical challenges and potential limitations of Quaise's approach. One commenter questioned the feasibility of maintaining a stable borehole at such extreme depths and temperatures, citing the tendency of rock to deform and flow under pressure. Another expressed skepticism about the ability to effectively circulate the drilling fluid (presumably water) at the necessary pressures and temperatures without encountering critical failures in the system. The commenter also highlighted the immense pressure and temperature at those depths, calling them "absolutely insane."
Several users discussed the potential environmental impact of the technology. One raised concerns about the potential for induced seismicity (earthquakes) caused by fracturing the rock at such depths. Others questioned the long-term stability of the boreholes and the potential for leakage of geothermal fluids or other contaminants. One user pointed out the difference between drilling into hot, dry rock and accessing existing hydrothermal systems, emphasizing the difficulty of extracting heat efficiently from the former.
Some commenters explored alternative geothermal approaches. One suggested Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) as a potentially more viable option, while another highlighted the potential of closed-loop geothermal systems. A few users discussed the general challenges of geothermal energy, including the high upfront costs and the geological limitations that restrict its applicability to specific locations.
A few commenters offered more optimistic perspectives. One suggested that the extreme conditions at depth could be mitigated by using advanced materials and engineering techniques. Another pointed out that even if Quaise's technology doesn't fully achieve its ambitious goals, it could still lead to valuable advancements in drilling technology and geothermal energy extraction.
Some of the comments delved into the technical details of the process, discussing the physics of millimeter-wave drilling, the properties of different rock types at high temperatures and pressures, and the challenges of scaling up the technology from laboratory experiments to real-world applications.
Finally, a few commenters expressed general excitement about the potential of geothermal energy to provide a clean and sustainable source of power and hoped that Quaise's efforts, and similar initiatives, would be successful.