04-06-2012, 01:48 PM
Geothermal Education and Training Guide
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Introduction
As geothermal energy production and use become more prominent in today’s renewable energy landscape, academic institutions are taking note. A shortage of trained industry professionals – especially higher-level geothermal power plant managers, geologists, resource analysts, permitting staff, drillers, engineers, and geothermal heat pump installers – is often cited as an obstacle to the growth of the geothermal industry. As the industry grows, so too does the need for geothermal education and training. A number of colleges, universities and training institutions across the country are responding with undergraduate, graduate, and certification programs related to geothermal. The National Geothermal Academy (NGA), for example, is in its inaugural year offering an intensive 8-week summer program covering all aspects of geothermal energy development and utilization.
Due to the more specialized nature of graduate studies, many more opportunities in geothermal-specific education exist at the graduate level than at the undergraduate level. Stanford University and SMU offer both geothermal master’s and doctorate degrees. In addition to the Stanford Geothermal Program and SMU’s Geothermal Laboratory, research facilities and/or geothermal research opportunities exist at a growing number of institutions. More widely available graduate degrees including civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering, geology, geological engineering, geophysics, hydrology, mechanical engineering, and petroleum engineering are useful for pursuing a geothermal career.