Description of capability
This capability is a joint development for Geothermal energy between Jack Hare’s group at PSFC and Eden Geopower. According to their ARPA-e funding webpage:
Eden will develop a new class of hydraulic fracturing methods to create fluid pathways for water to be heated and extracted for power production. Eden’s new “Electro-Hydraulic Fracturing” (E-HF) technology will use electricity and water to access a more extensive fracture network for heat recovery.
Key people
Technology Readiness Level (1-9)
3
Needs that this could potentially address
Cost-effective deep geothermal
Tech specs
According to the ARPA-e proposal,
This E-HF process will increase the heat transfer surface area for the water circulating through fractures, improving EGS power plant efficiency up to 500%. This technology can potentially save 270 billion gallons of water by limiting water use compared with traditional hydraulic fracturing and would provide access to untapped renewable geothermal energy.
Estimated time & cost to commercialize
5 years $50M
Outstanding risks
- Commercial: Eden Geopower will presumably have a right of first refusal on any IP that comes out of the research at PSFC