Stanford Geothermal WorkshopFebruary 9-11, 2026

This paper presents a modeling framework to evaluate the power generation potential and thermal efficiency of storing solar-gathered heat in porous, permeable sandstone reservoirs at shallow depths (less than 3,000 ft). This process is called Geologic Thermal Energy Storage (GeoTES). Building on the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) GeoTES Demonstration in Kern County, California, the study integrates proven thermal simulation tools with advanced 3D visualization using Blender. This combined workflow quantifies conductive and convective heat transport, retention dynamics, and recoverable energy over multiple thermal cycles. Results show that loosely consolidated, shallow formations with natural temperatures near 100°F can be economically converted into large-scale solar-charged geologic batteries. Modeled results demonstrate high thermal retention and recoverability, confirming that proven oilfields can be repurposed for dispatchable renewable power generation with near-zero exploration risk. Scaling this concept across the Western San Joaquin Valley could enable more than 100 gigawatts of clean, firm capacity—while introducing the novel idea of subsurface solar heat sequestration as both an energy-storage solution and a potential global cooling mechanism. This project is operated by Premier Resource Management with the following geothermal partners: DOE Geothermal Technologies Office, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Idaho National Laboratory. The GeoTES demonstration was awarded under the Biden Administration and is one of few awards approved by the Trump Administration - representing a bipartisan effort to Unleash GeoTES.

Topic: Emerging Technology