The US Air Force has awarded Houston-based Sage Geosystems a $1.9-million contract to produce and evaluate geopressured geothermal systems (GGS) as a “clean energy” power plant for military bases.
The deal covers the development of the solutions at an off-site well in Starr County, Texas, next year.
Results documented through this effort will inform and potentially initiate a full-scale infrastructure project to supply electric power for the Ellington Field Joint Air Reserve Base.
Prior to the award, Sage collaborated with the University of Texas to advance the future geothermal technology and research feasibility at the base.
The company will coordinate work with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Office of Energy Assurance (OEA), a primary segment of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center.
“This initial contract is a step forward in the Department of the Air Force’s push for energy resilience,” OEA Director Kirk Phillips stated.
“If the demonstration proves successful, this project could help improve Ellington Field’s ability to maintain operations during electrical grid outages.”
“The installation has the potential to be completely self-sufficient for its energy needs. This project, and the future projects it could pave the way for, could help ensure that national security needs are met by our installations during critical emergencies.”
Supporting Commitment to Energy Resiliency
The air force explained that the GGS solution operates by “repurposing” existing fracking technology to harvest thermal energy “from miles below the Earth’s surface” instead of relying on limited sources such as rare geological formations with hot water and steam.
By employing the GGS, users can simultaneously extract heat energy from the water in the fracture as well as the energy generated by the pressure of water pumped into the fracture.
“The wing is excited to demonstrate the first Geopressured Geothermal System in the Air Force,” Ellington 147th Civil Engineer Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Christian Campbell said.
“To be 100 percent resilient and carbon free would be an amazing feat. For the 147th Attack Wing to be the baseline, and showcase this amazing technology to the DoD, makes us proud.”
Geothermal System at San Antonio Base
In October 2023, the US Air Force signed a separate contract with scalable energy developer Eavor for the supply of a geothermal system prototype at Joint Base San Antonio.
Eavor’s proprietary solution uses circulated fluid to extract heat from deep soil to power engines and heating/cooling devices.