Post by Casius on May 24, 2018 7:48:02 GMT -8
Designers intended the underground city of New Seattle to offer survivability and sustainability, a shelter to harbor and preserve humankind in case of global disaster, until such time as the world outside the bunker could again be inhabited. Key to survival are redundant and distributed systems: a single point of failure will do just that, and do it at the worst possible time. Thus, the complex was built with three extra systems in 'reserve': extra housing, extra power generation stations, extra aquaponics systems for food and materials, extra bio-plastic facilities, extra waste digesters, multiple water sources, and extra cold storage seed vaults.
Buried deep beneath Volunteer Park, unheated tunnels and uninhabited areas tend to stay a constant 50 degrees F (10 C). Heat pump technology removes heat from those areas where cold was desired (cold storage, dehumidification units, server rooms) and transfers it to those areas needing to be kept warmer (living areas, greenhouse areas, digesters, certain manufacturing areas). Biomass digesters create methane, which is used in cooking, power generation, and some manufacturing. Redundant, dispersed fuel cells provide electricity for the complex lights and electricals. Fueled by methane from the digesters, the fuel cells also produce water and heat. Stirling engines, powered by heat from the fuel cells and cold water from the reservoir, provide rotational power for ventilation, pumping, various lifts, and other mechanical functions.
Food and fiber are grown in-house using redundant aquaponics techniques: fish and plants feed each other, they thrive and increase, and enough of each are removed at harvest to keep the system healthy and balanced. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the aquaponics gardens produce cotton, linen, flax, sisal, hemp, and the materials used in manufacturing bio-plastics. Renewable bioplastic and easily obtainable clay for ceramics figure prominently in the local 'industry'.
The primary mode of transportation within New Seattle involves walking, at least for short distances. For those areas where the city is in good repair and more speed is required, recumbent bicycles and tadpole trikes are common. Hand-carried rickshaws moving heavy loads through tunnels and along corridors are also commonplace. Likewise, for movement across and around the underground reservoir, and (filtered) waterways, a canoe, kayak, or paddle boat is generally the transportation utilized. Prudent aquanauts will observe and maintain the minimum safe distance to the reservoir outlet rather than risk getting dragged under, and carried off by the current to parts unknown.
Buried deep beneath Volunteer Park, unheated tunnels and uninhabited areas tend to stay a constant 50 degrees F (10 C). Heat pump technology removes heat from those areas where cold was desired (cold storage, dehumidification units, server rooms) and transfers it to those areas needing to be kept warmer (living areas, greenhouse areas, digesters, certain manufacturing areas). Biomass digesters create methane, which is used in cooking, power generation, and some manufacturing. Redundant, dispersed fuel cells provide electricity for the complex lights and electricals. Fueled by methane from the digesters, the fuel cells also produce water and heat. Stirling engines, powered by heat from the fuel cells and cold water from the reservoir, provide rotational power for ventilation, pumping, various lifts, and other mechanical functions.
Food and fiber are grown in-house using redundant aquaponics techniques: fish and plants feed each other, they thrive and increase, and enough of each are removed at harvest to keep the system healthy and balanced. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the aquaponics gardens produce cotton, linen, flax, sisal, hemp, and the materials used in manufacturing bio-plastics. Renewable bioplastic and easily obtainable clay for ceramics figure prominently in the local 'industry'.
The primary mode of transportation within New Seattle involves walking, at least for short distances. For those areas where the city is in good repair and more speed is required, recumbent bicycles and tadpole trikes are common. Hand-carried rickshaws moving heavy loads through tunnels and along corridors are also commonplace. Likewise, for movement across and around the underground reservoir, and (filtered) waterways, a canoe, kayak, or paddle boat is generally the transportation utilized. Prudent aquanauts will observe and maintain the minimum safe distance to the reservoir outlet rather than risk getting dragged under, and carried off by the current to parts unknown.