Ground source heat pump leaders and industry experts will gather Oct. 27-28 in Denver for the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) Technical Conference and Expo, the nation’s largest and oldest conference dedicated to the ground source heat pump industry.

Ground source heat pumps are electrically powered systems that use the earth’s relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling and hot water. The Environmental Protection Agency considers the technology the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly heating and cooling system available.

The 2010 conference at the Crowne Plaza at Denver International Airport will focus on expanding the ground source heat pump market with up-to-date industry research, developments and opportunities for drillers. Drilling product manufacturers and distributors will be on site, giving drillers the chance to network with geothermal professionals from around the world. “Interest in the ground source heat pump industry has increased like I never would have believed,” says IGSHPA executive director Jim Bose. “With this rapid growth, we are hoping to get more contractors and installers involved at this year’s conference.”

Pre-conference training begins Oct. 25. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, IGSHPA is offering its Accredited Installers Workshop, Certified GeoExchange Designer Course and Accredited Drillers Training in Denver.

The 3-day drillers training workshop, held Oct. 25-27, educates current drilling contractors and drilling project managers on proper construction and completion methods for vertical geoexchange boreholes. Workshop topics include geothermal system design and layout basics, system materials, thermal conductivity, drilling processes and pipe joining techniques.

Not only will students receive the necessary training to become accredited, they also will receive business insights into the industry. “A good portion of the workshop focuses on commercial project bidding,” notes John Clapp, IGSHPA’s training coordinator. “It teaches drillers how to make money and be successful in the geothermal industry.” Upon successful completion of the course, drillers earn accreditation as an Accredited Vertical Loop Installer.

For a full list of topics covered in the workshop, as well as course and conference registration information, visit www.igshpa.okstate.edu.