In early 2022, Cindy Taff, the CEO of Sage Geosystems, had an ‘ah-ha’ moment while testing equipment in Starr County, Texas. The team was able to extract hot, clean water from deep within the earth, which could potentially replace natural gas as a reliable source of power globally. Sage Geosystems is not only utilizing geothermal energy but also exploring the concept of using pressurized water storage in wells to generate electricity.
The company recently announced plans to build its first commercial-scale facility near San Antonio, which will produce 3 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power over 600 homes. The goal is to create a model for a sustainable data center powered by renewable energy sources. The project involves drilling wells to store electricity from a solar array and using it to run the data center continuously.
Taff and her team, who have backgrounds in the oil and gas industry, saw an opportunity to transition into renewables and leverage their expertise in geology and drilling. By pressurizing water underground and running it through a turbine, Sage Geosystems aims to reduce the costs associated with geothermal energy production. Unlike traditional oil and gas extraction methods that result in water wastage and wastewater, Sage’s approach focuses on minimizing water losses and optimizing energy efficiency.
The company’s innovative technology has attracted the interest of various stakeholders, including the San Miguel Electric Cooperative Inc. (SMECI) and big tech companies looking to incorporate geothermal and energy storage solutions into their operations. Sage Geosystems is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries for long-duration energy storage, making it an attractive option for powering solar-based data centers overnight.
As Sage Geosystems continues to expand its capabilities and demonstrate the viability of its technology, the potential for scaling up the project to meet higher energy demands becomes more feasible. By partnering with organizations like SMECI and pioneering new approaches to sustainable energy production, Sage Geosystems is paving the way for a greener and more efficient future in the data center industry.
