Plasma Tunnel Boring Machines to Revolutionize Energy Transmission: Insights from Troy Helming, Founder and CEO of EarthGrid
Troy Helming, Founder and CEO of EarthGrid, explains how his company uses patented plasma tunneling technology to bypass the interconnection bottlenecks stalling renewable energy projects. He details the engineering challenges of managing 27,000-degree plasma, removing molten rock via specialized vacuum systems, and lining tunnels at high speeds. Helming describes EarthGrid's business model, which leverages utility status in 43 states to secure rights-of-way and deliver power transmission 10-20 times faster than overhead lines.