Publications

Development of high-temperature batteries for use in geothermal and oil/gas boreholes

Guidotti, Ronald A.; Normann, Randy A.; Reinhardt, Frederick W.; Odinek, Judy G.

The drilling industry continues to drill deeper and hotter wells to support fossil fuel exploration, production and geothermal power production. Natural gas well temperatures in excess of 185°C are becoming increasingly common and geothermal power production wells can reach 350°C. Electronics manufacturers are developing new high-temperature electronic devices capable of operating at 225°C for five years. Most of these components continue to operate up to 300°C. This paper discusses efforts to develop high-temperature batteries to meet the power needs of new high-temperature electronic systems.