Abstract: A thermal-energy exchange and storage system has a borefield with a core zone and at least one capacity expansion zone. Each of the core zone and the at least one capacity expansion zone have a plurality of boreholes. The at least one capacity expansion zone is positioned outwards from and encircling the core zone and each additional capacity expansion zone is positioned outwards from and encircling the previous capacity expansion zone. A heat source is provided in fluid communication with a heat exchanger. An injection system circulates an operating fluid. The injection system has at least one U-tube installed within the plurality of boreholes and operating fluid is circulated between the at least one U-tube and the heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat source. An extraction system is provided for extracting heat stored in the system for use in an infrastructure.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage simulator system has a design tool, a simulation analyzer and an output tool. The design tool has a user input that allows a user to enter project characteristics, constant parameters and a recommendation output. The recommendation output creates a set of recommended parameters based upon the project characteristics provided by the user. The design tool creates a saved set of system parameters. The simulation analyzer is in communication with the design tool. The saved set of system parameters are transferred to the simulation analyzer. Simulation analyzer has an input for entering variables and the simulation analyzer creates a saved simulation. The output tool is in communication with the design tool and the simulation analyzer such that the set of system parameters and the saved simulation are transferred to the output tool. The output tool has an output for expressing the data to the user. The output tool has a database for generating and recording the simulation results.

Abstract: A semi-permeable expanding sleeve system for pipe spreading in a borehole is disclosed. The system has an expansion sleeve, a grout injection pipe and a high-solids grout mixture. The expansion sleeve has a top end and a bottom end. The grout injection pipe has a first end, a second end, an inlet and at least one outlet. The grout injection pipe is insertable through the open top end of the expansion sleeve such that the at least one outlet is positionable within the expansion sleeve and the inlet is positionable adjacent the top end of the expansion sleeve. The grout mixture is pumped through the grout injection pipe into the expansion sleeve using a pump. A closing mechanism is provided for closing the expansion sleeve around the grout injection pipe to create a semi-permeable enclosure.

Abstract: A thermal-energy exchange and storage system has a borefield with a core zone and at least one capacity expansion zone. Each of the core zone and the at least one capacity expansion zone have a plurality of boreholes. The at least one capacity expansion zone is positioned outwards from and encircling the core zone and each additional capacity expansion zone is positioned outwards from and encircling the previous capacity expansion zone. A heat source is provided in fluid communication with a heat exchanger. An injection system circulates an operating fluid. The injection system has at least one U-tube installed within the plurality of boreholes and operating fluid is circulated between the at least one U-tube and the heat exchanger for transferring heat from the heat source. An extraction system is provided for extracting heat stored in the system for use in an infrastructure.

Abstract: A semi-permeable expanding sleeve system for pipe spreading in a borehole is disclosed. The system has an expansion sleeve, a grout injection pipe and a high-solids grout mixture. The expansion sleeve has a top end and a bottom end. The grout injection pipe has a first end, a second end, an inlet and at least one outlet. The grout injection pipe is insertable through the open top end of the expansion sleeve such that the at least one outlet is positionable within the expansion sleeve and the inlet is positionable adjacent the top end of the expansion sleeve. The grout mixture is pumped through the grout injection pipe into the expansion sleeve using a pump. A closing mechanism is provided for closing the expansion sleeve around the grout injection pipe to create a semi-permeable enclosure.