The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association’s (IGSPHA) Technical Conference and Expo is Oct. 3-4 in Indianapolis. This annual conference is the nation’s largest and oldest convention dedicated to the ground source heat pump industry.
Ground source heat pumps are electrically powered systems that tap into the relatively constant temperature of the earth to provide heating, cooling and hot water for homes and commercial buildings. The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency consider harnessing geothermal energy one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems available.
The 2012 IGSHPA Conference at the Indiana Convention Center will host cutting-edge ground source heat pump products and technology, including new methods of drilling, as well as information on opportunities to expand this market. Drilling product manufacturers and distributors will be on site, giving drillers the chance to network with geothermal professionals from around the world.
IGSHPA recognizes drilling as an integral part of geothermal heat pump technology. At the 2011 IGSHPA Technical Conference and Expo, approximately 25 percent of the nearly 100 exhibitors were directly related to drilling systems, tools and technologies. The exhibit hall is open to the public free of charge during conference hours Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some exhibitors such as Vermeer, Schramm and GEFCO will set up drilling rigs on the expo floor. For more information regarding space for drilling equipment on the expo floor, email igshpa@okstate.edu, or call 800-626-4747.
IGSHPA will have a driller workshop and forum during the fall conference, featuring topics such as health and safety for drillers on job sites, as well as updates from this past year. Other educational seminars regarding new industry technology, best practices, installation techniques, design issues, equipment performance information, research and marketing are available at the conference. More details regarding the driller workshop and forum to be held during the convention will be available in the conference brochure in early August.
This annual conference provides an excellent way for drillers to expand their horizons by delving into the geothermal industry. IGSHPA will hold the Accredited Driller Workshop and Conference beginning Oct. 1 and continuing through the conference to provide training for drillers to learn geothermal technology and become accredited. The course focuses on geothermal system layout basics, system materials, thermal conductivity, drilling processes and pipe-joining techniques.
Drilling contractors who wish to penetrate the market in geothermal drilling must attend a full Accredited Installer workshop. Some topics covered in the Accredited Installer course do not pertain to drilling contractors, so IGSHPA has formed this training course to provide drillers with information specific to their work on a geothermal job site.
Greg Wells is a sales engineer for Jackson Geothermal based in Mansfield, Ohio, with more than 20 years of experience in geothermal technology. He helped develop the curriculum taught in the driller accreditation training at the IGSHPA conference. Wells says the course is designed for any active drillers and drilling contractors who already have equipment and do different kinds of drilling work, but need training to infiltrate the geothermal market.
“Typically the people taking the course are water well drillers,” Wells explains. “Water well drilling is not geothermal drilling, so they need the training to understand the differences. Training covers both installation as well as the business side of geothermal.”
Even current geothermal drillers take the course to become accredited. “It’s basically to shift drilling business,” Wells says. “This course is not about running a drilling rig, but it’s taking your equipment and using it in geothermal.”
IGSHPA’s drilling course is taught by highly experienced professionals in the industry. Upon successful completion of the training, participants become Accredited Vertical Drilling Installers, and receive a fusion certificate.
The workshop and conference event is an excellent opportunity for drillers to receive necessary training to become accredited, and to gain insight into the industry.
For more information regarding registration for the 2012 IGSHPA Technical Conference and Expo or the Accredited Driller Workshop, visit the show’s website atwww.igshpaconference.com.
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