BEFORE THE WORLD FROZE, I BUILT MY OWN KINGDOM

Chapter 8: Geothermal Energy

(Author's note: Too wordy. Can be skipped.)

From Ethan's experience, hydropower, solar and wind were all useless in a frozen apocalypse. Only coal-fired and nuclear plants could provide steady power.

But coal-fired plants depended too heavily on fuel like coal and oil, which would be nearly impossible to find and mine in a post-apocalyptic world. And nuclear power was strictly controlled by the state. A man like him could never touch it.

So when Walter mentioned geothermal energy, it opened a brand-new road in Ethan's mind.

Geothermal energy is natural heat drawn from the Earth's crust. It comes from the magma deep inside the planet and exists in the form of heat. The Earth's interior reaches temperatures of about 7,000°C. When the apocalypse struck and the sun's temperature dropped, the Earth's core would remain largely unaffected.

Even at depths of 130 to 160 kilometers, temperatures can reach 650 to 1,200°C. That heat travels through groundwater and lava flows up into the crust, one to five kilometers below the surface, and can be carried even closer to the ground. The lava heats the groundwater around it, and that hot water eventually seeps upward to form the hot springs people know.

Geothermal energy is a highly competitive clean and renewable source. It has vast reserves, wide distribution, low carbon output, great adaptability and excellent stability.

In a frozen apocalypse, it was simply the perfect energy source.

Ethan had considered geothermal power before. But in Valoria, geothermal plants weren't common. And given the requirements of a bunker, finding a suitable location was harder still.

But if the right conditions didn't exist, he could create them.

Valoria had such abundant geothermal resources. How could there be no good place to build his bunker? He could simply invest in a geothermal plant of his own. Besides generating electricity, the heat could warm his bunker too.

Best of all, Oakridge District, where he lived, had rich geothermal resources. The timing and the location couldn't have lined up more perfectly.

His excitement rising, he turned to Walter.

"Mr. Briggs, that's an excellent suggestion. Do you know any geothermal experts? I'm interested in investing in a geothermal plant, and I'd like to consult one."

Seeing that Ethan liked his idea, Walter burst out laughing. "Ha! What a coincidence! I happen to know an expert in that exact field. He works at our plant!"

"Could you arrange for him to meet me?"

Walter immediately slapped his chest. "Don't worry, young man. I may be just a security guard, but I've worked at Riverglen for over twenty years. I've got friends everywhere!"

"Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Briggs," Ethan said with a smile. He raised his glass and drained it in one gulp.

When they had eaten and drunk their fill, Ethan paid the bill and helped Walter out of the restaurant.

Walter was completely drunk. It didn't seem right to ask him to arrange a meeting that afternoon.

So Ethan took him home, exchanged contact information, and said goodbye for the time being.

He had drunk quite a bit himself, so he couldn't continue his investigation that afternoon. He checked into a nearby hotel and fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

When he woke up, it was already seven in the evening.

He quickly grabbed his phone and called Walter. It rang for a long time before anyone picked up.

"Hello? Who is this?"

It was Walter's voice, and from the sluggish tone, he was clearly still hungover.

"It's me, Mr. Briggs. Ethan. We had lunch together."

Walter was stunned for a moment. It took him a while to react. "Uh... Ethan! Is something wrong?"

"Hehe, did you forget? What I asked you for at noon?" Ethan smiled wryly.

"Huh?"

It was obvious that Walter had forgotten everything that happened at noon.

Helpless, Ethan reminded him. "Could you arrange a meeting for me with the geothermal expert? I need to consult him about something."

"Ah! Look at my memory! Drinking ruins everything!" Walter slapped his forehead. "Don't worry, young man. I'll take care of it for you tomorrow."

Ethan hesitated, then said, "Could you ask him right now? I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"Young man, it's not that I don't want to help, but I don't have his number! Tell you what. Tomorrow, when I go in to work, I'll wait for him at the gate. I'll definitely bring him to you by noon at the latest," Walter promised.

Ethan could only smile wryly and nod. "All right, then I'll trouble you." After a few more polite words, he hung up.

It was the weekend, a poor time to make plans. He would have to wait until tomorrow.

To be safe, he decided to go to the Riverglen Power Plant in person the next day.

With that settled, he left the hotel to find something to eat. He wasn't planning to go back home that night. Riverglen and Oakridge weren't far apart, but since he was only renting, there was no need to return.

He found a restaurant that looked clean and casually ordered a few local specialties. Then he sat quietly in a corner, his thoughts drifting to tomorrow.

Walter had agreed to help arrange a meeting with a geothermal expert. But from his tone, he didn't sound very familiar with this so-called expert. Uneasy, Ethan decided to visit the plant himself and make sure everything went smoothly.

After all, the geothermal project was tied to his doomsday base. There was no room for carelessness. If he had an expert to guide him, he could get twice the result with half the effort.

Soon, several steaming plates were set on his table.

Since his rebirth, he had eaten a little more at his first meal, but otherwise his food had been simple. He had no desire to indulge in lavish feasts or fancy restaurants. After three years in the frozen apocalypse, even ordinary food felt like an incredible luxury.

As he enjoyed this hard-won peace and good food, he quietly planned tomorrow's schedule.

Time slipped by, and soon it was nine o'clock.

After dinner, Ethan strolled through the streets of Riverglen, feeling the pulse of the city. The buildings lining the road looked especially quiet under the night sky, with only the occasional car breaking the stillness.

The thought that this comfortable, peaceful life had less than twenty months left filled him with a faint sadness.

What was meant to happen would happen, no matter what. But as long as he prepared enough, he wouldn't have to live that miserable life again.

He took a deep breath of fresh air, his heart filled with hope and resolve, and then quickly headed back to the hotel.