stargate - How powerful is a ZPM (zero-point module)?

In Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, an ancient race of humans* developed a technology called a ZPM (or Zed-PM for McKay fans out there).

These zero-point modules were capable of immense power generation: a single unit could power the faster-than-light drive of an intergalactic starship the size of a city between galaxies (among other equally breath-taking feats).

How powerful is a zero-point energy module (in modern terms)?

Is the energy it produces even comparable to contemporary power, such as being measured in watts? Or is it another form of power altogether?

^{* Early episodes of SG-1 noted that "The Ancients" were the first evolution of the human form.}

Answer

The best estimate we really have of this can be calculated using the following.

1. In order to use the Chair found at Antarctica, a ZPM is required.


2. In an alternate timeline in "The Road not Taken", 80% of the grid for the US is used to power the Chair.


3. The total energy output of the US is roughly 19000 TWh. However, that's not all going at once. There are 8760 hours in a year, which means the power generation capacity, on average, is between 2-3 TW at any given time.

So, it seems that a ZPM is capable of producing at least 2-3 TW of power.

The chair seems to drain energy quite quickly. I don't know the exact time, but I guess it is around several days worth of power. Let's say 50 hours. That seems to indicate that it has about 200-300 TWhr of total energy.

So, it seems likely that a ZPM has a large amount of power considering its size, but it wouldn't replace even the US's energy consumption for very long...

More lines of evidence:

1. Naqahdah Generators were used to power Atlantis. I seem to recall that 5 generators were used, but I can't find the quote anywhere... (see 'The Storm' - Laden tells Koyla about whats powering Atlantis)


2. Each Naqahdah generator seems to be similar to a large Nuclear Reactor. I'm guessing therefore that the power generated per reactor to be no more than 4 GW (Based off of the capacity of the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant).


3. Given 5 generators, the power is around 20 GW. That is enough to power Atlantis, but not it's shields.


4. I'm sure if it was only a matter of putting in place a few more generators, they would gladly do it, so let's say it would take at least 10x more. That puts the power at 200 GW.


5. Assuming there is a low stress environment, such as protecting the city against water, perhaps the requirement is somewhat less, say half. That puts the power at around 100 GW.


6. Each ZPM was able to power Atlantis for about 3333 years. That would indicate that the total energy is around 876 TWhr.

Now, there's considerable fudge factors in the second set of equations, but they give a similar number to my rough estimates using the Chair. I'm guessing, therefore, that they are approximately correct, with the possibility that using a lower power task allows for more efficient use of the ZPM over time.