DOE Invests in New Geothermal Extraction Method

Source: Clean Technica, Susan Kraemer (4/20/11)

"New method could generate baseload geothermal electricity at lower, safer temperatures."

Greenfire Energy, a novel geothermal/CCS startup that is attempting to extract geothermal energy using injected CO2 as the working fluid instead of water, has been selected to receive $2 million in funding from the Department of Energy.

The DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has awarded GreenFire Energy the funding as part of $20 million in investment in cutting-edge geothermal technologies.

If successful, Greenfire Energy's pilot will demonstrate a way of generating baseload geothermal electricity at lower temperatures, that not only conserves water but also geologically sequesters carbon dioxide. Low temperature geothermal is a much more widely available resource in the US than high temperature.

The company will use naturally occurring CO2 deposits at a depleted gas field for the test of what they call CO2E. The four partners–a geologist, a chemist, an environmental specialist and an oil industry technologist–believe that their proposed technology holds the promise of lower capital costs than regular geothermal.

There are several advantages to using carbon dioxide rather than water as a geothermal drilling fluid. It has a lower viscosity than water, which makes it easier to inject into rock formations. It can be brought to a supercritical state–a state of matter with the qualities of both a gas and a liquid. It can be kept in that state much easier than water, which requires higher heat and pressure.

This reduces the need for cooling towers and pumps and makes it more efficient at shallower depths and lower temperatures. So the technology expands geothermal potential nationwide, and being shallower, lowers drilling costs, and of course, conserves water.

CO2 also increases volume with increases in temperature, much more than water does, and "that's what's powering our system" GreenFire President Mark Muir told Penelope Kern at Energy Prospects.

Oil & Gas Company to Acquire Hydrogen Tech Firm's Assets
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/26/2021)

Jericho Oil will gain the acquiree's award-winning, patented, zero-emissions Dynamic Combustion Chamber boiler.

High Performance Energy Storage Company Posts 132% Increase in Yearly Revenue
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/24/2021)

Eguana Technologies reported financial and operating results for FY/20 that demonstrated substantial improvements in both revenue and gross margins.

Company Accelerates Development and Deployment of Solar Projects
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/15/2021)

UGE International provided an update on its project and corporate activities during Q4/20.

Ballard Receives Order for Scotland’s First Fuel Cell-Powered Train
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/12/2021)

Shares of Ballard Power Systems traded 18% higher to a new 52-week high after the company reported that it had received an order from Arcola Energy for its FCmove-HD fuel cell modules that will be used to power Scotland's first fuel cell-powered train.

Solar Energy Company Secures Bid to Build Additional 5.4MW DC Community Solar Project
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/06/2021)

UGE International reported that just prior to year-end 2020 it secured a contract to build a new US$9.9 million, 5.4MW DC community solar project in the State of Maine.

This Tiny Tech Stock Is Quietly Building a Huge Business in Air Quality
Source: Matt Badiali for Streetwise Reports (01/05/2021)

Independent financial analyst Matt Badiali discusses how mCloud's technology is making it possible for office buildings to reopen during the pandemic.

Clean Energy Fuels Partners with Total SE to Develop Carbon-Negative RNG Production Facilities
Source: Streetwise Reports (12/22/2020)

Shares of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. traded 23% higher to a new 52-week high price after the company reported it is entering into a $145 million 50-50 joint venture with Total SE of France to develop carbon-negative renewable natural gas production facilities in the U.S.

Company Providing Microgrid Optimization Set for 'Exponential' Revenue Growth
Source: John "Jack" C. Hurley for Streetwise Reports (12/08/2020)

Value investor John "Jack" C. Hurley outlines the value proposition behind technology company CleanSpark.

Shares of SolarWindow Technologies reached a new 52-week high after the company reported it has created the "first-ever" electricity-generating flexible glass using a high-speed manufacturing process.