Reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES) takes advantage of large subsurface storage capacities, geothermal gradients, and thermal insulation associated with deep geologic formations to store thermal energy that can be extracted later for beneficial uses. Such uses include providing industrial heat for processes like paper and pulp drying, food processing, and pasteurization.
RTES technology has the advantage of being able to store thermal energy directly in underground reservoirs for 100 or more hours without conversion to electricity. This technical advantage provides a unique solution to reducing environmental impact from energy-intensive processes that use industrial heating.
The Office of Geothermal (OG) is funding a project by Project Development Solutions to demonstrate RTES for an industrial project in California. This work will help move RTES technology closer to commercial use for industrial heating processes.
RTES is part of OG’s low temperature and coproduced resources research. Learn more about other OG initiatives.