At Clean Currents 2025, Jackson Post, Project Engineer at Petrotech, co-presented alongside Canyon Hydro and Sage Geosystems during the “Improvements and Innovations” technical session, where the team showcased the groundbreaking “Innovative Pumped Storage” project and its role in advancing long-duration energy storage and grid reliability.
The presentation focused on Sage Geosystems’ pioneering Earth Storage technology, an advanced subsurface long-duration energy storage solution that transforms deep, low-permeability rock formations into rechargeable pressure vessels. The presenters explained how the system injected water into a fractured reservoir at pressures approaching 4,000 psi, storing energy within engineered “lung” fractures. When energy demand increased, the pressurized water was released to drive a Pelton turbine and generate dispatchable electricity with the fast response and reliability required by modern power grids.
To support the demanding high-head, variable-flow application, Canyon Hydro engineered a precision Pelton turbine specifically designed to withstand the stresses of the 3-MW, 1,800-RPM operating environment. Jackson highlighted Petrotech’s role in delivering the advanced Hydro Turbine and Balance of Plant control system, which provided precise turbine speed and generator load control as reservoir pressure fluctuated during discharge cycles. By integrating adaptive controls with VFD technology, Petrotech helped maintain the optimal jet velocity-to-runner speed ratio for stable, efficient power generation.
The session demonstrated how Earth Storage addressed critical limitations associated with traditional lithium-ion batteries and conventional pumped hydro systems, particularly in markets requiring scalable, long-duration storage, fast frequency response, and real-time operational control.
Overall, the presentation illustrated how the combination of modular high-head hydraulics, advanced automation, and intelligent control systems is reshaping the future of hydropower and energy storage. Jackson and the project team emphasized the growing importance of innovative control technologies in delivering resilient, efficient, and grid-stabilizing energy infrastructure.
In addition to Post’s presentation, the Petrotech leadership team, John Kazour, Craig Springford, John Claybrook, and Kevin Munns, were in attendance to discuss how Petrotech is helping utilities and OEMs reduce downtime, boost performance, and stay ahead of regulatory demands.
To learn more about Petrotech’s expertise in hydro turbine controls, balance of plant systems, and advanced energy solutions, contact us today and discover how our team can help power the future of your operations.