Resilient Energy, Water and Infrastructure

Grid-Scale Subsurface Energy Storage

Illustration depicting compressed air energy storage (CAES) in porous media systems. Illustration by W. Denn.

Understand and develop effective and affordable grid-scale energy storage in the deep subsurface, such as porous media compressed air energy storage, thermal energy storage, or hydrogen storage. Carry out research on capacity assessment, design of systems, performance analysis, assessment of risks, and specialized analysis of site-specific issues.

Overview

Grid-Scale Subsurface Energy Storage is an Energy Geosciences Division initiative within the Resilient Energy, Water and Infrastructure Program Domain.

Featured Projects

News & Events

International Nuclear Waste Disposal Research Effort Evaluates Maximum Allowable Temperature for Bentonite Buffer

September 28, 2021

Around the world in the many nations where nuclear power is used, isolating nuclear waste deep underground is deemed as the viable permanent solution. Geological repository for high-level nuclear waste, the type of nuclear waste created by the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, is usually a multi-barriers system that includes waste packages, engineered barrier system…

New Funding for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Research

The Berkeley Lab Geothermal Systems Program has been recommended for funding for two projects under a recent announcement by the DOE Geothermal Technology Office of a total of $12M in funding for seven research projects to advance the commercialization of enhanced geothermal systems. The first is led by EESA staff scientist Seiji Nakagawa, with collaborators from…

New Effort to Assess Caldor Fire Impact on Cosumnes River Basin

EESA Research Scientist Erica Woodburn has initiated a new effort to investigate the impact of the Caldor Fire on the Cosumnes River Basin. The team, which involves EESA research scientist Michelle Newcomer and faculty scientist Jackie Peña, has already begun working to measure water quality and ash/sediment in collaboration with a local citizen science field…

George Moridis Presented With Honorary Membership in the Society of Petroleum Engineers at Conference in Dubai

George Moridis, a senior scientist in the Energy Geosciences Division, has been awarded an Honorary Membership in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in recognition of outstanding scientific achievements. Moridis was presented the award at a ceremony during SPE’s Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Dubai September 21-23. Moridis is being recognized for his…

NAWI Publishes Trailblazing Roadmap Series on Innovation for a Sustainable Water Future

August 25, 2021

For the American West, this summer served up reminder after stark reminder of the urgent need to address the country’s water security. The drying up of the Southwest’s most important river–the Colorado River which is the source of water for one in 10 Americans–is more than enough to sound the alarm. But far worse: As…

Haruko Wainwright Named Berkeley Lab Outstanding Mentor

August 6, 2021

Research scientist Haruko Wainwright is being celebrated for her role in helping Berkeley Lab provide exceptional mentorship of the next generation of STEM professionals. Wainwright is one of six scientists being recognized this summer for their unique contributions as mentors through the various internships offered by Berkeley Lab: Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI), the…