A geothermal heat utilization system includes a heat source well facility, a heat source device having a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expanded portion, and an evaporator, a primary refrigerant circuit that is connected to a first unit which is one of the condenser and the evaporator of the heat source device, heat exchange being able to be performed between the first unit and the well-side pipe, a secondary refrigerant circuit that is connected to a second unit which is the other of the condenser and the evaporator of the heat source device, heat exchange being able to be performed between the second unit and a load, and a mode switching unit that switches between a cold heat storage operation mode in which the primary refrigerant circuit is connected to the evaporator and the secondary refrigerant circuit is connected to the condenser and a cold heat discharge operation mode in which the primary refrigerant circuit is connected to the condenser and the secondary refrigerant circuit is connected to the evaporator.

A method for extracting thermal energy in an underground high temperature area of a coalfield fire area, including: determining a thermal extraction target area by a natural potential method and a ground detecting borehole; using an injection borehole to send a gaseous thermal medium to an underground high temperature area of the thermal extraction target area; after the thermal exchange between the gaseous thermal medium and a high temperature coal rock mass, the gaseous thermal medium is extracted through an extraction borehole; continuously monitoring a natural potential of the thermal extraction target area; arranging a casing-type borehole thermal exchanger in a potential anomaly region to complete the thermal exchange between the high temperature coal rocks and a liquid thermal medium; stopping the thermal extraction operations when the temperatures of the extracted gaseous thermal medium and the liquid thermal medium reach 70 C. or below.

A method for utilizing the inner energy of an aquifer fluid includes geothermal thermal water mixed with gas and optionally crude oil in a closed cycle to obtain an environmentally-neutral, carbon-dioxide-free utilization of the aquifer fluid and an environmentally-friendly supply of electric and thermal energy. An aquifer fluid is removed from an aquifer by means of a removal device, gas is separated by degassing the aquifer fluid in a gas-separation device, optionally crude oil is separated if necessary, the heat energy of the thermal water is utilized in at least one system for utilizing the thermal energy, the extracted gas and the optionally separated crude oil is com busted in at least one combustion device and the inner energy of the gas is utilized by operating a generator, the CO.sub.2 being removed from the waste gas and recycled into the aquifer.

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.

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.

Trench-confirmable geothermal reservoirs with flexible reservoir bodies that can snugly abut trench walls (that may be of virgin, compacted earth) for facilitating heat exchange and flow liquid from one lower end to an opposing top end, and vice versa, depending on desired heat exchange. The direction can be reversed for summer and winter heat/cooling configurations. A series of the reservoirs may be used for appropriate heat transfer. The water volume of the reservoirs is relatively large and slow moving for good earth heat conduction. The reservoirs include first and second ports, one of which has an elongate internal tube that has a bottom that resides adjacent a bottom of the reservoir body and a series of apertures on only a lower portion of the internal tube to intake or output liquid depending on flow direction.

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.

Disclosed is a system for optimizing energy utilization in a multi-building development or community. In an embodiment, the system has a passive energy loop comprising a continuous liquid filled pipe. A plurality of energy transfer points connect a plurality of buildings in the development onto the passive energy loop. A system control center adapted to control the plurality of energy transfer points to extract excess thermal energy from or input required thermal energy to each of the plurality of buildings, thereby to optimize the energy utilization and minimize greenhouse gases produced by the system.

A cooling apparatus and method comprising a heat exchanger in thermal communication with a plurality of computing devices, a single or plurality of filtered coolant intake pipes and corresponding coolant exhaust pipes in thermal communication with the heat exchanger via a configurable filtration unit. The apparatus and method includes a geothermal heat sink comprised in a geothermal field, structured to transport heat away from the heat exchanger via the filtered coolant intake and exhaust pipes, and a coolant pump operatively coupled to the coolant intake and coolant exhaust pipes in a coolant circuit and configured to transport heat absorbed by the heat exchanger to the geological heat sink comprised in the geothermal field.

A geothermal energy extraction subterranean system for extracting heat from a subterranean formation has an injection well in a first borehole and a first production well extracting the heated working fluid through a first production opening. The first well tubular metal structure has first and second annular barriers to isolate a production zone, each annular barrier including a tubular metal part having a first expansion opening and an outer face, an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part and having an inner face facing the tubular metal part and an outer face facing the wall, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with the tubular metal part. The first production zone is arranged between the first and second well tubular metal structures so that the heated working fluid is extracted in the second well tubular metal structure through the first production opening.