PwrCor Collaborates with SMU Geothermal Laboratories to Pursue an Unexploited Geothermal Application

Energy Capacity of Studied Geothermal Facilities Can Increase by 15%


NEW YORK, June 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PwrCor, Inc. (OTCQB:PWCO), an advanced technology company focusing on clean, renewable energy solutions for the Waste-Heat-to-Power, Geothermal, and Solar Thermal markets announced that SMU Geothermal Laboratories has completed a significant industry research project that was instrumental in  assessing the potential of PwrCor’s proprietary technology to generate electricity from wasted ultra-low-grade heat (150°F to 250°F) discarded by existing geothermal power facilities.

Geothermal production facilities typically return large quantities of ultra-low-grade heat, in the form of spent hot water, into injection wells after the higher heat is used in electricity production. This spent hot water represents fuel to PwrCor’s heat-to-power conversion technology that currently operates within a hot input temperature range between 150° and 250° F. This application of PwrCor technology is commonly referred to as a bottoming cycle and represents a simple, low risk, and low cost point of entry to the geothermal market. PwrCor technology is also uniquely applicable to several other geothermal applications including abandoned geothermal wells, hot springs, new low temperature geothermal plants, as well as existing and abandoned oil and gas wells which typically abound with geothermal energy.

SMU’s research team compiled available information such as ambient air temperature, injection temperature, and injection flow rate to quantify the total thermal energy within the spent geothermal fluids already being produced, but not utilized, by 31 of 73 U.S. based geothermal sites for which data were available. These 31 sites represent approximately 2,900 MWe or 78% of U.S. currently installed geothermal electricity capacity.  New calculations indicate an additional 427 MWe, or approximately 15%, can be derived from the spent geothermal fluids utilizing the PwrCor bottoming cycle technology. An additional 100 MWe of output can be conservatively imputed from the remaining installed capacity for which there was insufficient available data.

According to a recently published DOE report, as of 2018, geothermal power plants were concentrated in the western United States with the majority located in California and Nevada. Although geothermal energy accounts for only 0.4% of total electricity generation nationwide, it provides 6% of total generation in California and 8% in Nevada. The state of California alone has more installed geothermal capacity than any country in the world. The DOE report summarizes findings showing that geothermal electricity generation could increase more than 26-fold from today – reaching 60 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity by 2050 – just from known available resources.

Utilities are struggling to increase their electricity production from “green” energy sources, with extremely challenging goals being set by regulators and legislatures around the country, while at the same time confronted with the irregular production from the sun and wind. Management believes its PwrCor technology is uniquely positioned to transform ultra-low-grade geothermal heat into useful electricity, thereby contributing a major solution source to this challenge.

Maria Richards, Geothermal Lab Coordinator for the Geothermal Laboratory at Southern Methodist University, a research facility devoted to broadening the understanding and use of geothermal energy, stated, “Geothermal energy is the work-horse of green power production.  Unlike various others, it operates 24/7, is suitable for baseload power supply, occupies a small footprint, and is designed to last. PwrCor is working to improve the efficiency of our geothermal power infrastructure, and we commend their efforts.”

Joe Batir, Ph.D., Research Geologist for the Geothermal Laboratory at Southern Methodist University, stated, “There is a great deal of heat being underutilized in geothermal power generating facilities around the United States.  Technology that can convert even a small portion of this underutilized heat into additional power has the potential of bringing major benefits to both geothermal power producers and to the environment.” 

As Halley Dickey, President of Energy Systems Development Group, a privately-held experienced renewable energy and power project development and operator company, noted, “By converting a portion of the heat currently discarded by active geothermal and power facilities, or left unused by inactive wells, PwrCor technology can bring a green solution to bear.  This is a technology the world needs, and something that interests us significantly.”

Tom Telegades, CEO of PwrCor, stated, “PwrCor's technology seeks to change the energy profile of entire industries.” 

PwrCor’s technology delivers the ability to reduce the overall cost of energy for power users.  Low-grade and ultra-low-grade heat, which up until now could only be discarded and wasted, can be cost-effectively utilized to generate electrical power, providing cost savings and improving bottom line performance.

PwrCor is currently engaged with leading companies in such industries as fuel cells and reciprocating engines, and on additional project initiatives in geothermal, oil and gas, solar thermal, and data centers, all of which have enormous amounts of wasted ultra-low-grade heat that can now be converted to additional power, contributing to higher profits.  Our technology cost-effectively converts heat to mechanical power or electricity, and represents a breakthrough for those businesses which can now profit from converting wasted heat into electrical power.

About the Technology
PwrCor™ engines use proprietary technology that can cost effectively convert ultra-low-grade heat to usable mechanical or electrical energy, opening up an immense market representing hundreds of gigawatts of potential power production.  This is wasted energy that previously could not be economically harnessed as usable power by competing technologies.  PwrCor's breakthrough technology can change the profile of how energy is created and consumed in markets around the globe, and can be used in place of or in conjunction with most existing technologies.  PwrCor™ is a completely ‘green’ technology that uses no fossil fuels, does not operate via combustion, has no emissions, and does not process any working fluids that are flammable, harmful to the environment, or costly to replace.  PwrCor™ is scalable, modular, and runs relatively silently, all within a small footprint.

About PwrCor, Inc.
PwrCor, Inc., is an advanced technology company that specializes in renewable energy, offering advanced cleantech solutions for the Waste-Heat-to-Power, Geothermal, and Solar Thermal markets, as well as other applicable markets.  PwrCor is also focused on energy infrastructure development projects and delivering cleantech energy solutions to commercial and not-for-profit customers. Please visit www.pwrcor.com for additional information.

About SMU’s Geothermal Lab
The SMU Geothermal Lab was established in 1970 by Dr. David Blackwell. It is an active research facility, with a variety of ongoing geothermal resource projects involving faculty, staff, and students. Results broaden the understanding and use of geothermal energy, from the simplest form – geothermal heat pumps for buildings – to the large-scale deployment of geothermal power plants providing energy for our cities. Research also explores opportunities to integrate renewable geothermal projects in an oil & gas setting.

About Energy Systems Development Group
Energy Systems Development Group (“ESDG”) is a privately-held experienced renewable energy and power project development and operator company, with more than thirty years of experience in Power Generation, Advanced Heat Recovery, Refrigeration, and Finance to emerging growth companies.  ESDG has helped pioneer many new innovative designs and unique thermo-electric conversion technologies through engineered solution development, and has successfully executed more than $200 Million in revenue, 150 Advanced Heat Recovery power generation systems sold, totaling over 150 MW’s of developed projects, and facilitation of over $500 Million of utility scale project finance and underwriting.

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statement
With the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These statements involve unknown risks and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described for a variety of reasons that are outside the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, its ability to raise sufficient financing to implement its growth strategy, and its ability to successfully develop and commercialize its proprietary products. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Readers are urged to read the risk factors set forth in the Company's most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, Schedule 14A and other filings made with the SEC. Copies of these reports are available from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, or without charge from the Company.  The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, if new information becomes available in the future.

Company Contact:
Thomas Telegades, CEO
212-796-4097
ttelegades@pwrcor.com

Source: PwrCor, Inc.