Innovative technology is poised to revolutionise tunnel boring with the successful testing of a rock-melting tunnel-boring machine in California. EarthGrid’s device, equipped with three plasma torches, reached temperatures of 27,000C, effectively matching the surface of the Sun, as it pierced through three metres of granite in a January test.
Engineering Breakthroughs
Developed by EarthGrid under the leadership of founder and CEO Troy Helming, the machine utilises a spinning head to create a violent vortex that helps remove debris, sometimes in the form of lava. Troy Helming expressed his emotional reaction during the test, having awaited this technological milestone for a decade.
The demand for subterranean infrastructure, such as power and telecom cables, has been increasing. This shift is partly spurred by modern geopolitical conflicts, notably Russia’s war with Ukraine, which exposed vulnerabilities of above-ground infrastructure to drone assaults.
Global Tunnelling Trends
There’s a noticeable trend towards constructing underground facilities worldwide. For instance, in Italy, the Trentino DataMine hosts a data centre 100m below the Dolomite Mountains, benefiting from natural cooling provided by the rock, which also offers protection from various risks. CEO Dennis Bonn highlighted the enhanced security and reduced energy needs due to these conditions.
Concurrently, the practice of burying subsea internet cables is on the rise. According to Lane Burdette from TeleGeography, this has led to a decrease in cable faults, as submarine cables are buried up to three metres deep in some vulnerable areas.
Challenges and Considerations
Technological advancements, such as laser-guidance systems, have increased the precision of tunnelling operations. However, challenges remain, including managing released gases and potential flooding during excavation. Robbie McGoran from Joseph Gallagher highlights the significant costs and complexities of underground solutions, despite their strategic advantages.
In the UK, the preference for overhead infrastructure persists due to cost-effectiveness. Projects like the London Power Tunnels, which involved digging 18 miles of tunnels for electricity cables, are more the exception than the norm unless urban density demands it. Mark Neller from Arup notes that above-ground solutions often provide sufficient resilience.
Strategic Applications
Undergrounding critical infrastructure remains a strategic conversation topic, reminiscent of Cold War-era bunkers. Richard Little, an infrastructure policy consultant, suggests evaluating specific facilities for their strategic necessity in undergrounding, such as chip manufacturing. The balance is in determining the importance and irreplaceability of these structures in the event of an attack.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.