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Unique high-temp downhole rechargeable energy storage device announced by DOE

Unique high-temp downhole rechargeable energy storage device announced by DOE US Department of Energy Website 2014
Francisco Rojas 2 Jul 2014

This new Downhole Rechargeable Energy Storage Device is capable of operating at very high temperatures; which allows the geothermal industry to bypass a major operational hurdle. It is expected to be displayed later on this year.

Announced today by the U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office, a new rechargeable energy storage device capable of operating in the extreme temperatures necessary for geothermal energy production has been announced for commercialisation.

According to the official statement; industry partner FastCAP Systems successfully demonstrated an ultracapacitor that is fully operational in 200°C conditions, extending the upper limit of high-temperature energy storage and electronics, and engineering a flexible system that could reduce cost and risks of geothermal drilling. A $2.2 million Energy Department investment, coupled with $5.5 million in private investment funds, will support expansion of production capabilities in a newly expanded space in Boston’s Innovation District, a thriving center for manufacturing and technology.

Widespread adoption of geothermal energy production is impeded by the cost of drilling deep wells in very hot formations—one of the greatest cost drivers in geothermal development. FastCAP’s innovation targets this challenge: by utilizing a novel combination of downhole energy generation and storage capability, FastCAP’s system can generate and store the necessary power for downhole measurements while drilling (MWD), as well as enable communication with the surface. Combining these advancements will yield a complete geothermal downhole power source. The final upper operating temperature goal of the project is 250°C, though FastCAP expects its 200°C ultracapacitor technology to be deployed downhole as early as this year.

Data from this project and other GTO-funded research will be made publicly available via the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS) on an open-source platform.

For the full press release, please follow the link bellow

Source: US DOE Website