Chiyoda to conduct feasibility study on surface equipment to support Sage geothermal project

Japanese engineering company Chiyoda Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sage GeoSystems (Sage) to conduct a technical and commercial feasibility study of high-pressure surface facilities to support a commercial-scale geothermal power generation system using Sage’s proprietary Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) approach.

The feasibility study will be done based on the wellhead pressure, temperature conditions, fluid properties and operating conditions provided by Sage. Chiyoda will then evaluate the major equipment configuration of the high-pressure surface facilities, power and energy balances, indicative capital, operating costs and power generation cost.

Sage’s proprietary EGS approach injects water into an engineered underground reservoir in hot rock and utilizes both subsurface heat and the pressure energy stored in the reservoir. Water flows back up from the reservoir, limiting the loss of pressure and water, which strengthens both plant efficiency and project economics. This approach also demonstrates the concept of long-duration energy storage, using surplus electricity to store pressure energy underground for recovery which can then be recovered during periods of higher electricity demand.

Just recently, Sage validated its EGS approach with 120 days of operation at its facility in Christine, Texas. Based on the operational data, the system exceeded Sage’s objectives and demonstrate their ability to engineer an EGS reservoir that repeatedly performs to maximize net power output. This now provides the foundation for larger scale projects, notably an EGS project to be jointly developed with Ormat in Nevada.

“Chiyoda’s expertise in engineering complex, high-pressure industrial facilities makes it an ideal partner as we move Sage’s proprietary EGS approach toward commercial scale. This collaboration is a significant step in proving out the surface infrastructure needed to convert our subsurface innovation into gigawatt-scale power generation and long-duration energy storage,” commented Shayne Dustin, SVP Engineering & Development of Sage Geosystem.

“Geothermal energy has significant untapped potential, and next-generation technologies like Sage’s are key to unlocking it. This collaboration brings together Chiyoda’s engineering strength in high-pressure facility design with Sage’s subsurface methodologies. Together, we aim to accelerate the path to commercial-scale deployment and deliver a dependable, low-carbon power source,” added Ken Kimeta, Head of Business Co-Creation, Assistant Division Director of Business Development & Growth Transformation Division at Chiyoda Corporation.

Source: Chiyoda Corporation