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Tag Archives: geothermal

New tool models viability of closed-loop geothermal systems

November 14, 2023 – 5:00 am

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Geothermal power has a lot of promise as a renewable energy source that is not dependent on the sun shining or the wind blowing, but it has some challenges to wide adoption. One of these challenges is that there are a limited number of locations in the U.S. that naturally have the right […]

By Mollie Rappe | Posted in Computing, Energy / Environment / Water, Renewable energy | Comments Off on New tool models viability of closed-loop geothermal systems

Exploring explosives for expanding geothermal energy

June 21, 2022 – 10:02 am

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Why are scientists setting off small-scale explosions inside 1-foot cubes of plexiglass? They’re watching how fractures form and grow in a rock-like substance to see if explosives or propellants, similar to jet fuel, can connect geothermal wells in a predictable manner. Geothermal energy has a lot of promise as a renewable energy […]

By Mollie Rappe | Posted in Energy / Environment / Water, Renewable energy, Science / Technology / Engineering | Also tagged , , | Comments Off on Exploring explosives for expanding geothermal energy

Designing a geothermal drilling tool that can take the heat

July 21, 2016 – 5:00 am

Sandia Labs worked on new type of downhole hammer ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia National Laboratories and a commercial firm have designed a drilling tool that will withstand the heat of geothermal drilling. The downhole hammer attaches to the end of a column of drill pipe and cuts through rock with a rapid hammering action similar […]

By Sue Holmes | Posted in Energy / Environment / Water, Materials Science | Also tagged , , | Comments Off on Designing a geothermal drilling tool that can take the heat