RePED 250: A Revolutionary, High-Drilling Rate, High-T Geothermal Drilling System and Companion (250 - 350°C) Power Electronics

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
OPEN 2018
Award:
$4,918,404
Location:
Golden, Colorado
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
09/20/2019 - 03/19/2024
Website:

Technology Description:

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory team will develop technologies and component devices enabling a high-rate drilling method using electric pulses to bore hot, deep geothermal wells. Compared to the softer, sedimentary rock typically found in oil and gas wells, geothermal rock is harder and less porous, and at significantly higher temperatures. These factors generate slow geothermal drilling rates averaging only 125 feet per day compared to greater than 40 times this achieved in sedimentary rock. If successful, the high-rate technology could transform drilling techniques across multiple industries. Project activities will focus on developing and testing pulsed power electronics capable of surviving the high temperatures encountered in geothermal rock. Component development will be carried out with systems integration in mind, enabling a rapid upgrade from a low-temperature rated drilling tool to a high-temperature version.

Potential Impact:

The technology is expected to disrupt the global drilling industry, replacing traditional drilling technologies within 10 years of commercialization.

Security:

Increased access to domestic energy sources like geothermal and natural gas would help secure U.S. energy stability.

Environment:

Deep geothermal energy resources are a clean, renewable source of carbon-free electricity. Competitive market modeling shows the potential for an additional 50 gigawatts of geothermal deployed in the U.S. due to cost and time improvements from this new technology.

Economy:

If successful, the high rate technology could increase geothermal drilling rates tenfold, drastically reduce well drilling costs, and cut development timelines, which would have a major impact on the levelized cost of energy.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Isik Kizilyalli
Project Contact:
Devon Kesseli
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
devon.kesseli@nrel.gov

Partners

TPL, Inc.

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Release Date:
12/13/2017