Geothermal Research Facilities

The Computer Science Research Institute (CSRI) brings university faculty and students to Sandia for focused collaborative research on Department of Energy computer and computational science problems. CSRI focuses on research in areas of computer...

The Electronics Development Lab offers capabilities for high temperature electronic fabrication and assembly, the evaluation of electromagnetic hardware, optical evaluation, 3D printing, and long-term storage of sensitive electronics while under electro-static protection. Image depicts...

The Sandia FACT Site provides the equipment and seismically quiet surroundings required for testing infrasound and seismic sensors, instrumentation, and monitoring systems. This site allows for geothermal tools to be tested with a wireline truck to...

Sandia’s Geochemistry Laboratories support fundamental research into material behaviors at mineral-fluid interfaces and the influence of chemical environments on fracture processes. Experimental geochemistry studies enable researchers to develop and validate quantitative models across multiple...

The Geomechanics Laboratory provides advanced facilities to measure rock properties under a wide range of simulated service conditions, including very high pressures, elevated temperatures, and complex loading paths. These capabilities support research and development...

A large plot of land, known as Tech Area III, allows Sandia’s geothermal research program to evaluate large systems. For example, the program has 1,000 feet of drilling pipe that was used for evaluating...

Sandia maintains a large laboratory facility for the development, assembly, and testing of geothermal technologies. Sandia’s evaluation and assembly facility provides several testing, processing, and packaging stations and capabilities for high-temperature packaging, high-temperature and...

Geothermal resources are typically associated with igneous and metamorphic rocks, which are harder than the sedimentary rocks through which most oil and gas wells are drilled. The Hard Rock Drilling Facility features a vertical...

Sandia’s High Operating Temperature (HOT) Facility houses a 20-foot-tall drill rig, heating chamber, and process gas heater. HOT can simulate conditions deep underground by elevating the temperatures directly to the drill bit and can...

The Microsystem Assembly and Brazing Facility offers advanced capabilities for epoxy die bonding, soldering, wire bonding, seam sealing, holistic packaging and materials process analysis, metal deposition (e.g., PVD, CVD, ALD), 3D printing (e.g., PEEK,...