SUNYA Energy

Sage Geosystems partners with San Miguel Electric Cooperative to build first geopressured geothermal system

August 13, 2024
SUNYA Summary
- Sage Geosystems Inc. has announced a partnership with San Miguel Electric Cooperative Inc. to build a Geopressured Geothermal System. - This 3MW energy storage facility will be located in Christine, Texas, near a lignite coal power plant. - Sage will operate as a merchant, engaging in electricity trading with the ERCOT grid. - The EarthStore facility aims to provide sustainable, dispatchable electricity by utilizing the earth's natural energy storage capabilities. - The technology is designed to deliver reliable power that is independent of weather conditions. - The facility will target storage durations of 6 to 10 hours with a round-trip efficiency of 70 to 75 percent. - Water losses during operation are expected to be less than 2 percent. - The project enhances the integration of renewable energy sources, complementing wind and solar power. - The blended Levelized Cost of Energy is projected to be well under $0.10 per kWh when combined with solar energy. - San Miguel Electric Cooperative emphasizes the importance of long-duration energy storage for the ERCOT utility grid. - Sage Geosystems plans to apply for two drilling permits in Texas, one for the EarthStore facility and another adjacent to an existing test well.
PRESS RELEASE
Sage Geosystems Inc. Partners with San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc. to Build First Geopressured Geothermal System:

Project Will Be the First to Supply Geothermal Energy Storage to the ERCOT Grid

August 13, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sage Geosystems Inc. (Sage), a geothermal baseload and energy storage company, announced today the location of its first-of-its-kind project, marking a significant advancement in sustainable geothermal energy. Sage has entered into a land use agreement with San Miguel Electric Cooperative Inc. (SMECI) for the 3MW Geopressured Geothermal System (GGS) energy storage facility. The 3MW EarthStore system will be in Christine, Texas near the SMECI lignite coal power plant. Sage will operate as a merchant, buying and selling electricity to the ERCOT grid.

Later this year, Sage will launch the EarthStore™ facility, the world's first project to utilize the earth's natural capacity for energy storage to produce clean, sustainable, and dispatchable electricity on demand. This technology offers a reliable and resilient power source that is independent of weather conditions and not reliant on wind or sunshine.

“Once operational, our EarthStore facility in Christine will be the first geothermal energy storage system to store potential energy deep in the earth and supply electrons to a power grid,” said Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geosystems. “Geothermal energy storage is a viable solution for long-duration storage and an alternative for short-duration lithium-ion batteries. Electric utilities and co-ops like SMECI, will be able to use our technology to complement wind and solar, and stabilize the grid.”

The facility will use Sage’s proprietary technology to store energy, targeting 6-to-10-hour storage durations and delivering a round-trip efficiency (RTE) of 70-75 percent. In addition, water losses are targeted to be less than 2 percent. At scale, this energy storage system will be paired with renewable energy to provide baseload and dispatchable power to the electric grid. When combined with solar power, Sage’s EarthStore facility enables 24/7 electricity generation at a blended Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) well under $0.10/kWh.

Craig Courter, CEO, San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc. added, “Long-duration energy storage is crucial for the ERCOT utility grid, especially with the increasing integration of intermittent wind and solar power generation. We are excited to be part of this innovative project that showcases the potential of geothermal energy storage.”

Sage will be applying for two drilling permits in Texas. The first permit is in Atascosa County for the EarthStore facility in Christine and the second permit is in Starr County, adjacent to the company’s existing test well.

For more information, please visit www.sagegeosystems.com.

About Sage Geosystems Inc.

Sage Geosystems Inc. (Sage) is a firm founded in 2020 with energy storage and geothermal baseload technologies deep in the earth. The Sage Geosystems team has over 150 combined years in the oil and gas industry, with experience delivering major projects including Deepwater, Arctic, and Unconventional shales. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit www.sagegeosystems.com.

About San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc.

San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member-owned power generation and transmission cooperative that serves the people of South Texas' rural communities, working and living in partnership with its members. Through integrity, hard work and a commitment to safety, San Miguel Electric Cooperative maintains a dependable power supply at the lowest possible and competitive cost. Visit San Miguel Electric Cooperative for more information.

Contacts

Claire Underwood
claire@teamsilverline.com
540-494-7552