National Geothermal Academy

The National Geothermal Academy is an 8-week intensive summer course in all aspects of geothermal energy development and utilization.  The course is offered for 6 credits at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Individual weeks are offered as professional development.  In summer 2012 Modules 2,3,4 or 5,6,7 are offered as 3 credit sections.

Schedule for this summer is June 18 to August 10, 2012

Applications for Summer 2012 are CLOSED

Information for Summer 2013 will be available beginning in January, 2013.

Module 1: June 18-22: Introduction to Geothermal Energy Utilization

Instructors: Jefferson Tester, Cornell University & Michal Moore, University of Calgary

This introductory course presents the important fundamentals of geothermal resource exploitation. Attendees will gain a general understanding of the basic steps in the economic exploitation of geothermal resources, including financing, exploration, drilling, plant design and construction, plant operation and maintenance, and geothermal field management, as well as the importance of  public outreach and acceptance  to maximize returns from the resource.

Module 2: June 25-29: Geothermal Geology and Geochemistry

Instructor: Joe Moore, EGI / University of Utah

Exploration is a topic of primary importance for the economic viability of geothermal energy enterprises, providing critical information on the location, size and exploitation potential of the resource. This module will cover the geologic settings of geothermal systems, geothermometry, fluid geochemistry and hydrothermal alteration.

Module 3: July 2-6: Geothermal Field Trips

Instructor: Varies by trip

This week will explore geothermal geology and power production in several locations. Final trips are subject to confirmation but may include visits to The Geysers, Long Valley Caldera, Lassen Volcanic field, Brady's geothermal fractures and plant sites, Hot Creek, Buckeye or other surface hot springs and combined heat and power production sites.

Module 4: July 9-13: Geothermal Geophysics

Instructor: David Blackwell, Southern Methodist University

This module will present exploration methodologies and tools used to find and characterize geothermal resources, interpretation of their results and how they are applied to form a synthesis of potential reservoir characteristics. Topics include heat flow, thermal gradients and conductivity, eletrical, magnetic, gravity and seismic techniques of exploration, well logging and case histories.

Module 5: July 16-20: Drilling Engineering

Instructors: Bill Livesay, Livesay Consultants, & Lou Capuano, Capuano Engineering Consultants

This module will cover the development and planning process that is done for each well, with the intent is to expose students to the decisions that are made and how other geothermal resource decisions interact with the drilling design, planning and operations.  The module will also cover the drilling aspects of the development of an engineered geothermal system power complex. The information presented should enable the participant to have a basic knowledge of how various aspects of the resource are affected by decisions made:  resource, drilling, power plant and project economics.  Non-drilling personnel, who are involved in other aspects of geothermal resource development, will gain an appreciation for the complexities of exploration and development drilling required to produce the resource.

Module 6: July 23-27: Reservoir Engineering

Instructor: Roland Horne, Stanford University

This week covers the basic principles of reservoir engineering and management. Reservoir characterization methods are presented as well as the elements of managing the resource. Individual topics will include the fundamentals of reservoir properties and flow mechanisms, the analysis of well measurements and the estimation of well performance characteristics. This module will also look in detail at reservoir modeling, reservoir simulation and the design and management of re-injection.

Module 7: July 30 - Aug. 3: Power Plant Design and Construction

Instructors: Ronald DiPippo, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, & Brian Anderson, West Virginia University

This course covers the fundamentals of geothermal power plant design, analysis and construction. Specific topics inlcude dry steam, single- and double-flash, and binary systems, with a discussion of all ajor plant components such as turbines, separators, flashers, piping and heat exchangers. Advanced energy conversion systems will be described including several versions of binary plants, combined and hybrid cycles, total-flow systems and enhanced geothermal systems. Emphasis will be placed on the use of REFPROP in the design and analysis of power plants. The week will conclude with a study of environmental impacts and a case study.

Module 8: Aug. 6-10: Environmental Policy and Geothermal Business Principles & Development

This week incorporates two components