DOE funding underground energy-storage pilot project

In South Carolina, two Clemson University environmental engineers are developing ways to store “waste” energy underground to cut heating and cooling costs and reduce carbon emissions. Ron Falta and Fred Molz have received a $991,000 DOE grant to create a Subsurface Thermal Energy Storage (STES) system that can be used as a model for energy efficiency. Five military bases are being considered for the pilot project. The STES system differs from conventional geothermal heat pump designs in that it takes advantage of waste energy, such as heat produced in power production, to create an artificially hot zone beneath the surface. It would also use the natural winter chill to create an artificially cold subsurface zone.