Systems and methods for producing energy from a geothermal formation. A heat exchanger can be disposed within a well to absorb heat from a geothermal formation. The heat exchanger can be supported within the well using a high thermal conductivity material. The heat exchanger is connected to an organic Rankine cycle engine including a secondary heat exchanger and a turbine. The primary and secondary heat transfer fluids are chosen to maximize efficiency of the organic Rankine cycle.

Method of operating a thermal energy system coupled to a building energy system which selectively provides heating and/or cooling to a building, the method comprising the steps of; (a) providing a thermal energy system comprising a heat pump system having an output side and an input side, a heat energy working fluid loop extending into the building, the output side being coupled to a building by the heat energy working fluid loop to provide heating to the building from the thermal energy system, a cooling demand working fluid loop extending into the building, a first geothermal system in which a working fluid is circulated and a second geothermal system in which a working fluid is circulated; (b) selectively thermally connecting the first geothermal system to the input side of the heat pump system, or to the heat energy working fluid loop to provide heating to the building; and (c) selectively thermally connecting the second geothermal system to the input side of the heat pump system, or to the cooling demand working fluid loop to provide cooling to the building.

Method of operating a thermal energy system coupled to a building energy system which selectively provides heating and/or cooling to a building, the method comprising the steps of; (a) providing a thermal energy system comprising a heat pump system having an output side and an input side, a heat energy working fluid loop extending into the building, the output side being coupled to a building by the heat energy working fluid loop to provide heating to the building from the thermal energy system, a cooling demand working fluid loop extending into the building, a first geothermal system in which a working fluid is circulated and a second geothermal system in which a working fluid is circulated; (b) selectively thermally connecting the first geothermal system to the input side of the heat pump system, or to the heat energy working fluid loop to provide heating to the building; and (c) selectively thermally connecting the second geothermal system to the input side of the heat pump system, or to the cooling demand working fluid loop to provide cooling to the building.

Method for installing a geothermal system, comprising: arranging a drilling equipment, including a support structure and a terminal module, mounted on the support structure; by means of the drilling equipment, drilling the soil in succession along a substantially vertical first tract, a substantially horizontal second tract and a substantially vertical third tract, the first, second and third tracts forming a substantially U-shaped well, the first tract having a surface inlet, where the drilling is started, the third tract having a surface outlet, where the drilling is finished, the well crossing a geothermal zone; arranging a casing in the well, so that the casing extends between the inlet of the first tract and the outlet of the third tract; arranging a heat utilization system, associated with an axial end of the casing; arranging a hydraulic system configured to cause a heat transfer fluid to circulate in the casing, so that the heat transfer fluid will absorb heat from the geothermal formation and will release it at the heat utilization system.

Systems and methods for generating and a controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to thereby supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device. In an embodiment, during hydrocarbon production, a temperature of a flow of heated fluid from a source or working fluid may be determined. If the temperature is above a vaporous phase change threshold of the working fluid, heat exchanger valves may be opened to divert flow of heated fluid to heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to working fluid through the heat exchangers, thereby to cause the working fluid to change from a liquid to vapor, the vapor to cause a generator to generate electrical power via rotation of an expander.

Systems and methods for generating and a controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to thereby supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device. In an embodiment, during hydrocarbon production, a temperature of a flow of heated fluid from a source or working fluid may be determined. If the temperature is above a vaporous phase change threshold of the working fluid, heat exchanger valves may be opened to divert flow of heated fluid to heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to working fluid through the heat exchangers, thereby to cause the working fluid to change from a liquid to vapor, the vapor to cause a generator to generate electrical power via rotation of an expander.

A heat exchange circuit for a geothermal plant comprising a well excavated in the rock, a casing arranged inside the well, integral with it and comprising at least a first perforated section extending along a first portion of the well and at least a second perforated section extending along a second portion of the well, the perforated sections allowing the exit and the entry of a flow of geothermal fluid contained in an aquifer, an internal duct, located inside the casing in which a heat transfer fluid flows, wherein the well, the casing and the internal duct being arranged as a substantially closed ring, except for at least one surface interruption, at least one heat-exchange section at the bottom of the well between the first portion and the second portion of the well within which the geothermal fluid transfers heat to the heat transfer fluid.

A drilling rig and methods are provided for using multiple types of drilling when installing geothermal systems. The drilling rig can perform sonic drilling such as percussive sonic drilling and a type of non-sonic drilling. Control switching valves are added to the hydraulics of the drilling rig to selectively provide sufficient flow of hydraulic fluid to motors used in the multiple types of drilling, depending on which type of drilling is currently most efficient for the underground formation being drilled. The water pump and hydraulic motor for such have been designed to handle both types of drilling on a small drilling rig frame, thereby allowing for the drilling to occur in space-constrained environments. A method of recycling water used to remove cuttings during drilling to put back downhole is also provided.

A multivessel system is provided for drilling an ultra-deep borehole into the Earth's lithosphere. The system includes a plurality of gate valves, a first pressure vessel configured with a first vessel elevator that engages and holds a train section as the first vessel elevator moves in the first pressure vessel along a portion of a length of a drill train channel; a second pressure vessel configured with a second vessel elevator that engages and holds the train section as the second vessel elevator moves in the second pressure vessel along another portion of the length of the drill train channel; a third pressure vessel configured with a smooth cylinder bore and a burn gas ejection piston configured to hold and connect the train section to the drill train; an input-output separator configured to segregate an exhaust waste gas up-flowing from the borehole from a gas being supplied into the borehole; and a drill train clamp configured to engage and hold a drill train in a borehole.

Systems and methods for generating and a controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to thereby supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device. In an embodiment, during hydrocarbon production, a temperature of a flow of heated fluid from a source or working fluid may be determined. If the temperature is above a vaporous phase change threshold of the working fluid, heat exchanger valves may be opened to divert flow of heated fluid to heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to working fluid through the heat exchangers, thereby to cause the working fluid to change from a liquid to vapor, the vapor to cause a generator to generate electrical power via rotation of an expander.