U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

National Geothermal Student Competition

Energy Department announces finalists for national university geothermal energy competition

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that eight university teams have been selected to compete in the 2012 National Geothermal Student Competition. This student competition challenges teams at universities across the country to conduct cutting-edge research in geology, geoscience, chemical and bio-molecular energy, and engineering that could lead to breakthroughs in geothermal energy development.

The student team finalists are:

• Boise State University
• Colorado School of Mines
  
• Cornell University Energy Institute
  
• Cornell University Sustainable Design
• Idaho State University
  
• Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory
  
• University of Idaho
• University of Texas, Austin

Program overview

Through the National Geothermal Student Competition, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to advance geothermal education and spark interest in geothermal careers by providing a forum for hands-on learning. In addition, some of the data and analysis resulting from the competition may be valuable to industry and the development of new geothermal sites.

For the 2012-13 National Geothermal Student Competition, students will develop professional-quality research reports using exploration technologies to further geothermal power development of the Snake River Plain in Idaho. Findings will be presented in conjunction with the Geothermal Research Council’s spring/summer meeting in order to provide an audience and networking opportunities for the students.

The teams will be ranked on the basis of the reports and presentations, with awards (to be provided by industry) going to the top three places. Research should be based on analysis using one or more of the following exploration technologies:

• Geophysics
• Geochemistry
• Remote sensing
• Geology

Supporting documentation for the 2012-13 NGSC:

• Geothermal competition application
• Proposal requirements
• Rules
• Judging rubrics
• Task planner
• Student evaluation
• Team profile template