RESPEC Welcomes NSF-DOE Interns to Advance Geothermal Research

RESPEC welcomes Samuel J. Herrboldt and Michael Osei-Boateng, two South Dakota Mines students, as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Science Foundation (NSF) INTERN Program.

Established in 2017, the NSF INTERN Program annually offers nearly 300 graduate students with nonacademic research internships (up to 6 months). These internships help students develop professional skills across various U.S. sectors and encourage participation from underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Samuel and Michael are among 24 students chosen to work on geothermal projects with numerous companies, national laboratories, or state agencies. Their work will support the DOE’s Enhanced Geothermal Shot™ initiative, which aims to make enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) more affordable and widespread by 2035.

Samuel will be working on sedimentary geothermal analysis workflows to show the economic potential of different development scenarios. “I look forward to getting out of my comfort zone and gaining some first‑hand experience on a project I am interested in,” says Samuel. “Geothermal energy is an interesting topic that this internship and my project allow me to explore and contribute to.”

Michael will focus on optimizing Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) systems by analyzing data, developing a model of a typical BTES, and conducting experiments to find ways to boost the energy output of geothermal systems.

RESPEC is a leader in geothermal research and development, concentrating on solutions to harness geothermal energy efficiently. Our projects include exploring geothermal reservoirs, optimizing energy storage systems, and implementing sustainable energy solutions. We are thrilled to have these bright minds on board and look forward to the contributions they will bring to our geothermal research and development efforts.

For more information about RESPEC’s geothermal capabilities, click here: Geothermal Exploration & Development – RESPEC