Geo2Watts has developed a “Borehole Battery” to plug and store thermal energy in idle oil wells, which could also be used to repurpose existing infrastructure for social and environmental benefits. The battery uses sand and solar energy from a concentrated solar power (CSP) parabolic trough and silicon dioxide (sand) packed into a borehole to create continuous heat storage for renewable electricity. The concept is designed to provide baseload and dispatchable electricity for California’s electricity grid, which relies heavily on solar and wind energy. The use of this technology could help meet the growing demand for long-duration energy storage, potentially reaching 52 GW by 2045. Geo2watts is targeting California’s 37,000 idle wells for repurposing to produce zero-emissions electricity.
Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating
