Startup Wants to Power Entire U.S. Grid With 'Fancy Regenerative Winch'

Renewell Energy plans to convert 700,000 abandoned wells into giant mechanical batteries.

Renewell Energy, a startup out of Texas, created a mechatronic conversion system called Artemis Prime as an energy storage solution. This "fancy regenerative winch" aims to take inactive oil and gas wells that leak pollutants and use them for energy storage. The prototype measures 20 feet long, 7 feet wide, weighs five tons and can expand to become 40 feet long. 

Renewell Energy co-founders Stefan Streckfus and Kemp Gregory formed the idea for Artemis Prime. The prototype was built at PCDworks in Texas, an engineering consultant with an 80-acre innovation campus. PCDworks has helped develop more than 30 patents, including projects for PepsiCo, the U.S. military, Kodak and Kellogg's. 

Made In America: American Innovators is a digital series on the YouTube channel Consensus Digital Media that highlights innovation from small businesses in communities across the country.

More in Video