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.

A method for installing a ground heat exchange pipe uses a drive mechanism driven downwardly by a drive head including an elongate drive mandrel for driving a portion of heat exchange pipe into the ground. The pipe is attached to an inserting tool connected to the drive mandrel so that the tool carries the portion of heat exchange pipe into the ground. The mandrel engages the inserting tool which includes a base and tie attached to a portion of the pipe and drives the inserting tool into unbroken ground to a finite depth and then the drive head extracts the mandrel for reuse on the next installation leaving the inserting tool behind with the heat exchange pipe. The inserting tool includes side components engaging the heat exchange pipe and protecting it from damage as the heat exchange pipe is driven into the ground. A fluid supply duct can be provided in the mandrel.

A new system for and a method of deploying a heat exchanger pipe. A bore hole is drilled from an access ditch location to a terminal ditch location using a piloted drill head powered via an umbilical attached to the piloted drill head. A casing is attached to the piloted drill head and disposed about the umbilical into the bore hole from the access ditch location to the terminal ditch location. At the terminal ditch location, the piloted drill head is removed from the casing and the umbilical and a heat exchanger pipe is attached to the umbilical. The umbilical is withdrawn from within the casing deployed in the bore hole to pull the heat exchanger pipe into the casing. The casing is then withdrawn from the bore hole leaving the heat exchanger pipe in the bore hole.

A new system for and a method of deploying a heat exchanger pipe. A bore hole is drilled from an access ditch location to a terminal ditch location using a piloted drill head powered via an umbilical attached to the piloted drill head. A casing is attached to the piloted drill head and disposed about the umbilical into the bore hole from the access ditch location to the terminal ditch location. At the terminal ditch location, the piloted drill head is removed from the casing and the umbilical and a heat exchanger pipe is attached to the umbilical. The umbilical is withdrawn from within the casing deployed in the bore hole to pull the heat exchanger pipe into the casing. The casing is then withdrawn from the bore hole leaving the heat exchanger pipe in the bore hole.

One embodiment provides a heat conveyance module, including: a top plate, the top plate including an opening; at least two side plates, wherein each of the two side plates is mechanically coupled to a bottom face of the top plate; at least one pole coupled to the top plate, the at least one pole having an interior opening, wherein the lengthwise dimension of the at least one pole is perpendicular to the lengthwise dimension of the top plate; and at least one tamper detection device placed within the interior opening of the at least one pole.

One embodiment provides a heat conveyance module, including: a top plate, the top plate including an opening; at least two side plates, wherein each of the two side plates is mechanically coupled to a bottom face of the top plate; at least one pole coupled to the top plate, the at least one pole having an interior opening, wherein the lengthwise dimension of the at least one pole is perpendicular to the lengthwise dimension of the top plate; and at least one tamper detection device placed within the interior opening of the at least one pole.

An underground heat exchange type cooling and heating system includes an underground heat exchange device to allow heat to be exchanged between a first heat medium and a geothermal heat; a plurality of cooling and heating units which cools or heats an indoor space by means of a second heat medium; a plurality of heat pump units which allows heat to be exchanged between the first heat medium and the second heat medium; a first transfer line which transmits the first heat medium to the plurality of heat pump units and transmits the first heat medium having undergone heat exchange in the plurality of heat pump units to the underground heat exchange device; and a second transfer line which transmits the second heat medium to the plurality of cooling and heating units.

Thermal energy is extracted from geological formations using a heat harvester. In some embodiments, the heat harvester is a once-through, closed loop, underground heat harvester created by directionally drilling through hot rock. The extracted thermal energy can be converted or transformed to other forms of energy.

Thermal energy is extracted from geological formations using a heat harvester. In some embodiments, the heat harvester is a once-through, closed loop, underground heat harvester created by directionally drilling through hot rock. The extracted thermal energy can be converted or transformed to other forms of energy.

A method for controlling temperature maxima and minima from the heel to toe in geothermal well lateral sections. The method includes disposing at least a pair of wells proximately where thermal contact is possible. Working fluid is circulated in one well of the pair in one direction and the working fluid of the second well is circulated in as direction opposite. to the first. In this manner temperature equilibration is attainable to mitigate maxima and minima to result in a substantially more uniform temperature of the working fluids in respective wells and the rock formation area there between. Specific operating protocol is disclosed having regard to the temperature control for maximizing thermal energy recovery.