Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for storing and time shifting at least one of excess electrical power from an electrical power grid, excess electrical power from the power plant itself, or heat from a heat generating source, in the form of pressure and heat, for future use in assisting with a production of electricity. An oxy-combustion furnace is powered by a combustible fuel source, plus excess electricity, during a charge operation to heat a reservoir system containing a quantity of a thermal storage medium. During a discharge operation, a discharge subsystem has a heat exchanger which receives heated CO2 from the reservoir system and uses this to heat a quantity of high-pressure, supercritical CO2 (sCO2) to form very-high-temperature, high-pressure sCO2 at a first output thereof. The very-high-temperature, high-pressure sCO2 is used to drive a Brayton-cycle turbine, which generates electricity at a first output thereof for transmission to a power grid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for storing and time shifting at least one of excess electrical power from an electrical power grid, excess electrical power from the power plant itself, or heat from a heat generating source, in the form of pressure and heat, for future use in assisting with a production of electricity. An oxy-combustion furnace is powered by a combustible fuel source, plus excess electricity, during a charge operation to heat a reservoir system containing a quantity of a thermal storage medium. During a discharge operation, a discharge subsystem has a heat exchanger which receives heated CO2 from the reservoir system and uses this to heat a quantity of high-pressure, supercritical CO2 (sCO2) to form very-high-temperature, high-pressure sCO2 at a first output thereof. The very-high-temperature, high-pressure sCO2 is used to drive a Brayton-cycle turbine, which generates electricity at a first output thereof for transmission to a power grid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for storing excess energy from at least one energy producing source, as thermal energy, using an existing geologic formation. First and second storage zones formed in a geologic region may be used to store high temperature and medium high temperature brine. When excess energy is available from the energy producing source, a quantity of the medium high temperature brine is withdrawn and heated using the energy supplied by the energy source to form a first new quantity of high temperature brine, which is then injected back into the first storage zone. This forces a quantity of medium high temperature brine present in the first storage zone into the second storage zone, to maintain a desired quantity of high temperature brine in the first storage zone and a desired quantity of medium high temperature brine in the second storage zone.

Abstract: A geo-energy production system and method extracts thermal energy from a reservoir formation, and stores either thermal waste heat or excess heat in a storage zone of the reservoir formation. A compressed fluid injection injects an unheated, compressed working fluid into the storage zone. A fluid injection well injects a working fluid laden with thermal waste heat or excess heat into the storage zone. The storage zone is located below a caprock layer and above a native brine zone of the reservoir formation and is partially circumscribed by a hot brine storage zone. The compressed working fluid assists with a withdrawal of pressurized brine residing below and/or to the sides of the storage zone. A compressed CO2, N2, or air production well helps to remove compressed working fluid from the storage zone for use in power production.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for storing excess energy from at least one energy producing source, as thermal energy, using an existing geologic formation. First and second storage zones formed in a geologic region may be used to store high temperature and medium high temperature brine. When excess energy is available from the energy producing source, a quantity of the medium high temperature brine is withdrawn and heated using the energy supplied by the energy source to form a first new quantity of high temperature brine, which is then injected back into the first storage zone. This forces a quantity of medium high temperature brine present in the first storage zone into the second storage zone, to maintain a desired quantity of high temperature brine in the first storage zone and a desired quantity of medium high temperature brine in the second storage zone.

Abstract: A geo-energy production system and method is disclosed for extracting thermal energy from a reservoir formation, and for storing at least one of thermal waste heat or excess heat in a storage zone of the reservoir formation. The system may at least one compressed fluid injection well in communication with the storage zone for injecting an unheated, compressed working fluid into the storage zone. The system may also have at least one fluid injection well in communication with the storage zone for injecting a working fluid laden with thermal waste heat or excess heat, into the storage zone, the storage zone being located below a caprock layer of the reservoir formation and above a zone of native brine within the reservoir formation. The storage zone is at least partially circumscribed by a hot brine storage zone of the reservoir formation. The compressed working fluid further assists with a withdrawal of pressurized brine residing below and/or to the sides of the storage zone.

Abstract: A method for extracting geothermal energy from a geothermal reservoir formation. A production well is used to extract brine from the reservoir formation. At least one of nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) may be used to form a supplemental working fluid which may be injected into a supplemental working fluid injection well. The supplemental working fluid may be used to augment a pressure of the reservoir formation, to thus drive a flow of the brine out from the reservoir formation.

Abstract: A geo-energy production method for extracting thermal energy from a reservoir formation. A production well extracts brine from the reservoir formation. A plurality of working fluid injection (“WFI”) wells may be arranged proximate to the production well to at least partially circumscribe the production well. A plurality of brine production (“BP”) wells may be arranged in a vicinity of the WFI wells to at least partially circumscribe the WFI wells. A working fluid is injected into the WFI wells to help drive a flow of the brine up through the production and BP wells, together with at least a portion of the injected working fluid. Parasitic-load time-shifting and to storing of excess solar thermal energy may also be performed.

Abstract: A geo-energy production system and method is disclosed for extracting thermal energy from a reservoir formation. In one implementation the method may involve using a production well to extract brine from the reservoir formation. A plurality of working fluid injection (“WFI”) wells may be arranged in a vicinity of the production well to at least partially circumscribe the production well. A plurality of brine production (“BP”) wells may be arranged in a vicinity of the WFI wells to at least partially circumscribe the WFI wells. A working fluid may be injected into the WFI wells to augment a pressure in the reservoir formation, to thus drive a flow of the brine up through the production well and up through the BP wells, together with at least a portion of the injected working fluid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for extracting geothermal energy from a geothermal reservoir formation. The method may involve using a production well to extract brine from the reservoir formation. At least one of nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) may be used to form a supplemental working fluid which may be injected into a supplemental working fluid injection well. The supplemental working fluid may be used to augment a pressure of the reservoir formation, to thus drive a flow of the brine out from the reservoir formation.