this post was submitted on 11 May 2025

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A German Experiment Proved That Simple Concrete Spheres Make Fantastic Batteries. Now, California Plans To Submerge A 9-Meter Diameter Sphere In The Ocean And Is Already Planning Versions Of 30 Meters (farmingdale-observer.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by Dadifer@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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[–] sturger@sh.itjust.works 37 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Every time I see these “We’ll do X in/around the ocean” projects I think, “These people have not spent a lot of time near the ocean.”

[–] Dryfire@lemm.ee 15 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

There are 2000 year old Roman concrete piers that are still just hanging out in sea water. So it's possible if you find the right mix.

[–] sturger@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The concrete isn’t the problem. Like mentioned above, the sealife growth is. Also, metal and moving mechanicals are savaged by seawater (and the sealife growth). Keeping things working on the surface of the water is difficult and expensive. Water pressure makes that even worse. Maintenance requires divers which are likewise very expensive.

[–] Dryfire@lemm.ee 2 points 1 week ago

Really good points. I was only thinking of the structure of the concrete... Sea life growth is a whole other ball game!