Aquifers for energy storage

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Mech. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6205110

Walton, M

The Minnesota Geological Survey, according to its director M. Walton, is considering the Franconia/Ironton/Galesville aquifer, which lies approx. 210 m under the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, as a possible storage area for thermal energy. Such a storage system would involve two wells drilled into the aquifer. One well would be used to pump cold water out of the aquifer to a heat exchanger, which would heat the water from 12 to 150C. Heated water would be returned through the other well under pressure. The water in the aquifer would form a bubble of heated rocks and water that would hold the heat for up to six months. With such a heat storage system, low-cost coal could be used to meet high-energy demands during peak periods. The University of Minnesota is working on a proposal for such a system with the Minnesota Energy Agency, Honeywell Corp., and General Electric Co.

• Research Organization: Minnesota Geological Survey, St. Paul
• OSTI ID: 6205110
• Journal Information: Mech. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Mech. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 102:8; ISSN MEENA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200107 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Off-Peak Energy Storage-- (1980-)
25 ENERGY STORAGE
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250600* -- Energy Storage-- Thermal
AQUIFERS
DESIGN
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION V
GEOLOGIC SURVEYS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT STORAGE
HIGH TEMPERATURE
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
MINNESOTA
NORTH AMERICA
PEAK LOAD
PEAKING POWER PLANTS
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
PROPOSALS
STORAGE
SURVEYS
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
USA
WATER WELLS
WELLS