# Plasma Tunnel Boring Machines to Revolutionize Energy Transmission: Insights from Troy Helming, Founder and CEO of EarthGrid

- Show: [Hardware to Save a Planet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet)
- Published: 2024-06-20
- Length: 45m
- Episode: 55
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from
- Listen: https://podcasts.fame.so/e/p8lxkmp8-revolutionizing-clean-energy-transmission-troy-helming

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from#t=3) Introduction: Troy Helming and EarthGrid's Mission
- [4:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from#t=269) Helming's Clean Energy History and Early Mistakes
- [7:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from#t=435) The Interconnection Problem and Plasma Inspiration
- [13:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from#t=838) Plasma Technology vs. Traditional Drilling Methods
- [18:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from#t=1088) Engineering Challenges: Magma Removal and Cooling
- [24:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from#t=1482) Tunnel Lining and Multi-Torch System Development
- [31:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from#t=1907) Business Models: BOOM and BASS Services
- [35:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-06-20-plasma-tunnel-boring-machines-to-revolutionize-energy-transmission-insights-from#t=2109) Market Impact: Data Centers, AI, and Grid Capacity

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- EarthGrid (company)
- Trade Wind Energy (company)
- Pristine Sun (company)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (other)
- ANSIS (tool)
- Quays Energy (company)
- Big Bertha (product)
- Tesla (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [HIBT Lab! Quaise Energy: Carlos Araque](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-04-hibt-lab-quaise-energy-carlos-araque) (How I Built This)
- [Understanding the transmission bottleneck](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2023-05-04-understanding-the-transmission-bottleneck) (Catalyst)
- [Getting more energy on the wires](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-11-03-getting-more-energy-on-the-wires) (Catalyst)
- [Powering the World: Unlocking Grid Capacity with Heimdall Power](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-08-26-powering-the-world-unlocking-grid-capacity-with-heimdall-power) (Over the Air)
- [Electric Fields, Son.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-12-06-electric-fields-son) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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