The new machine, developed by International Automated Systems, is undergoing tests at Brigham Young University where initial data concerning high temperature high pressure applications has yielded a work efficiency figure of 70 per cent.
IAS is currently in discussion with several large regional power producers, and, significantly, with legislators, who are looking for potential solutions to the California energy crisis and predicted energy shortfalls in general.
Although very little in the way of technical information is available at present, the IAS turbine seems to be suitable for geothermal power generation, in which configuration, says IAS, it could produce electricity for as little as 1 cent per kWh.
