March 15, 2006

Presentations
Schedule (pdf)

The Utah Geothermal Working Group is sponsoring a two-day workshop on direct use of geothermal resources and ground-source heat pump (GHP) applications.

This workshop is open to the public and will be held from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, March 23 and 24, 2006 at the Quality Inn Airport, 1659 West North Temple, Salt Lake City.

The first day of the workshop will be devoted to ground-source heat pumps (GHPs) discussing the basic features of the technology, current installations, and case studies in the western U.S.

The primary application of GHPs in Utah is for heating and cooling buildings. GHP systems, which are suitable statewide, offer significant savings in the use of electricity and natural gas, particularly in large commercial buildings, schools, and institutions. Area GHP developers will provide local perspectives on operational experience in Utah.

The second day of the workshop will be devoted to direct-use applications of geothermal resources. Geothermal hot water near the Earth's surface can be used directly for heating buildings and as a heat supply for a variety of commercial and industrial uses.

Direct-use geothermal systems are most often used for space heating, greenhouse and aquaculture operations, power generation, and district heating. These systems can be used in areas of the state where thermal hot springs or subterranean heat sources are available. Workshop discussions will include the nature of the resource, geothermal-well completion, the economics of direct-use projects, and case studies of direct-use applications in the western U.S.

On both days of the workshop, afternoon field trips will take place to observe GHP and direct-use geothermal systems in operation. Transportation to field trip sites will be provided.

This workshop is co-sponsored by the Utah Geothermal Working Group, the U.S. Department of Energy’s GeoPowering the West, Sound Geothermal, Oregon Institute of Technology Geo-Heat Center, Washington State University’s Energy Program, the University of Utah’s Energy & Geoscience Institute, and the Utah Geological Survey’s State Energy Program.

The workshop, which is open to the public and includes lunch, can be registered for in advance or at the door. Advance registration fees are $20.00 for one day or $30.00 for both days and can be made by contacting Denise Beaudoin at 801-538-4798. On-site registrations will be charged an additional $5.00.

For additional workshop information on workshop content and agenda, contact Bob Blackett at 435-865-9035 or robertblackett@utah.gov.