US Firm Generates Historic Surplus Power From Submarine Volcano
An American energy company successfully generated surplus electricity from an active underwater volcano off Oregon, marking a historic first in marine geothermal power generation.
An American energy company has successfully generated net-positive electricity from an active underwater volcano for the first time in history, operating at a depth of roughly 1,500 meters beneath the Pacific Ocean.
The experiment took place in September off the coast of Oregon at the Axial Seamount, an active submarine volcano located about 480 kilometers offshore, with its results published recently. The system harnessed superheated water reaching 281 degrees Celsius, driving a turbine at a staggering speed of 26,000 revolutions per minute. Although the successful generation phase lasted for only 8.7 seconds before an electrical protection system halted operations due to an excessive current, the facility successfully produced more electricity than it consumed during operation.
Extracting power from a submarine volcano is a formidable engineering feat. The team initially drilled 16 meters into the seafloor, encountering water at 260 degrees Celsius, but flow rates proved insufficient. They subsequently shifted to a nearby natural hydrothermal vent where water temperatures hit 281 degrees Celsius. Thanks to the immense hydrostatic pressure at that depth, the water remained liquid despite far exceeding standard boiling points. The powerful flow accelerated the turbine to 26,000 RPM.
According to the company, the generator produced a net median surplus of about two kilowatts, peaking at 16.5 kilowatts during the 8.7 seconds of operation. The entire operation was remotely controlled from Seattle via an undersea fiber-optic cable network operated by the University of Washington. Ten minutes after the auto-shutdown, engineers attempted a restart, but the pump's power cable failed, concluding the test.
Next-Gen Plans and Commercial Horizons
Building on this milestone, the company is already developing a much larger generator named "Gentoo", engineered for a 100-kilowatt capacity. Founder and CEO Andrew Redd stated that the upgraded unit is scheduled for deployment as early as this coming winter to achieve higher output and longer operating durations.
Simultaneously, the firm is developing a new drill capable of reaching 500 meters beneath the seafloor—surpassing the current 80-meter limit—to tap into more robust subterranean water flows for continuous operation. The company is also advancing its first commercial project in the island nation of Tonga, which currently relies heavily on imported diesel, aiming to deliver initial power by 2027.
Environmental and Analytical Caveats
Alongside technological enthusiasm, scientists raise questions regarding potential marine ecosystem impacts. Hydrothermal vents support unique ecosystems where microorganisms derive energy from chemicals rather than sunlight, sustaining endemic marine life such as tubeworms. Company representatives noted that the drilling site was chosen away from active vent chimneys and animal habitats, with independent laboratories analyzing over 40 water, rock, and mineral samples showing no abnormal disruptions.
However, the CEO acknowledged that larger systems operating continuously over years could pose environmental risks, noting that independent researchers are assisting in assessing potential impacts. Furthermore, experts highlighted two core limitations in the published data: the reported surplus electricity does not account for the massive energy required for marine transport, drilling, and installation, and the findings were released directly by the company without a peer-reviewed scientific publication.
