Free energy suppression (or new energy suppression) is a conspiracy theory that technologically viable, pollution-free, no-cost energy sources are being suppressed by governments, corporations, or advocacy groups.[1][2] Devices allegedly suppressed include perpetual motion machines, cold fusion generators, torus-based generators, reverse-engineered extraterrestrial technology, anti-gravity propulsion systems, and other generally unproven, low-cost energy sources.[2][3][4][5]
The alleged suppression (or weakening) is claimed to have occurred since the mid-19th century[6] and allegedly perpetrated by various government agencies, corporate powers, special interest groups, and fraudulent inventors. The special interest groups are usually claimed to be associated with the fossil fuel or nuclear industry,[7][8] whose business model would be threatened.[9][10]
Claims of suppression include:
Some notable people who have been claimed to be suppressed, harassed, or killed for their research are Stanley Meyer,[17] Eugene Mallove,[18] and Nikola Tesla.[19] Free energy proponents claim that Tesla developed a system (the Wardenclyffe Tower) that could generate unlimited energy for free. However, his system was only intended to transmit energy for free; the system's energy would still need to be generated through conventional means.[20]
Notable proponents of the conspiracy theory include Gary McKinnon, a Scottish computer hacker who unlawfully accessed computer systems to look for evidence of a secret free energy device.[21]