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Government & Others

The Federal Government has taken an interest in making the public aware of the benefits of Geothermal Heat Pump systems. Some of these are:

The United States General Accounting Office, in their June 1994 report to Congress on Geothermal Energy stated:

"This report discusses barriers to the use of geothermal heat pumps, a promising but relatively unknown technology, and efforts made by industry and government to increase their use. The report recommends that the Secretary of Energy establish a program to promote geothermal heat pumps as a tool for energy-efficient heating and cooling."

The Geothermal Division of the US Department of Energy subsequently prepared a plan called "GHP 2000." The goal is a five-year marketing plan for geothermal heat pumps to increase acceptance of this technology.

As a direct result of "GHP 2000," the Department of Energy, and the nation's electric utilities formed the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium.

It is an organization of electric utilities and their institutions (such as EEI and EPRI), equipment manufacturers and their allies, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.

The goals are:

• Jump start this emerging market,
  
• Increase market penetration,
  
• Reduce emissions of carbon equivalents, and
  
• Build a self-sustaining market - a market not dependent on utility rebates or government funding.

There are three main elements planned to help achieve these goals.

1. First Cost Competitiveness
   Alternative Financing Options
   Model Demand Side Management
   Integrated Resource Planning Programs
   Drilling Technology and Ground Loop Cost Reduction
   System Performance Improvements
   
   
2. Technology Confidence Building
   Involvement of Utilities
   Public Awareness and Education
   Regional Demonstration Utility Programs
   
   
3. Infrastructure Strengthening
   Legislation/Regulations
   Training and Certification
   Design Tools
   Standards

For more information, write or call:

The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department is also finding geothermal heat pumps useful in new projects, and as a replacement for a central boiler-chiller system.

They have found these advantages:

1. Geothermal has lower operating costs than gas,
2. There are no flues or combustion air,
3. It is easier to individually meter,
4. It is self-contained, and
5. There are no outside units to vandalize.