East Coast Green - Session Descriptions

East Coast Green is offering over 30 continuing education sessions focused around individual topics tracks throughout the conference.

Below is a detail of one of the courses. To see full course listing and times go back to Speaker Schedule.

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TH16T3
Thursday, September 16, 2010, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Ground Down Challenges to Constructing
Geothermal Systems
1.0 HSW/SD LU Hours - Approved
1.0 USGBC CEU Hours - Approved

Summary: Sustainable design projects must incorporate high efficiency building heating and cooling systems. Geothermal heating and cooling is an ever-growing system technology because of the many benefits that can be provided. This presentation will focus on design considerations associated with the ground coupling system including:

• Basic system types
• Types of ground couples
• Geologic considerations
• Feasibility studies and
• Field-testing and construction

A case study will be presented for a large geothermal system designed and constructed for a project at Columbia University's Knox Hall. Attendees will become educated on system types, how to evaluate their appropriateness for various site conditions, and typical design and construction considerations

Speaker:

Brian Blum
Associate,
Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.

Download PDF of Presentation:
TH16T3 - Constructing Geothermal Systems.pdf
( 5,075 Kb )

Course Purpose: To provide attendees with a brief introduction and understanding of geothermal heating and cooling systems typical to the northeast U.S.

Course Objective: For attendees to come away with a rudimentary understanding of geothermal heating and cooling systems, and how these systems are often designed and constructed in a iterative manner.

Course Objective Questions: By the end of the presentation, each attendee will be able to answer the following questions.

1. What is a geothermal heating and cooling system?

2. What types of geothermal heating and cooling systems are being designed and built in the temperate climates of the northeast U.S.?

3. Heating and cooling systems - how does a site/civil, geotechnical, and environmental engineering firm get involved?

4. How do I know if geothermal is right for my site?

5. Design for iterative system modifications during construction - what types of tests are performed during geothermal system construction, and how do the results of those tests impact the ultimate make-up of the geothermal heating and cooling system?

Agenda/Outline:

1. Introduction to the Basics of Geothermal Systems: 0-10 minutes

2. Geothermal Ground Couples typical to the northeast: 10-25 minutes

3. Geothermal Feasibility Studies: 25-35 Minutes

4. Example geothermal projects: 35-40 minutes

5. Iterative Design and Construction - Lessons Learned: 40 to 50 minutes

6. Q&A: 50 to 60 minutes

Other topic areas include:

• The UCC and Municipal Green Building Ordinances
• Standards to Codes - i.e. LEED, Architecture 2030, Energy Star
• California's Green Building Code the First in the Nation
• The ICC’s - International Green Construction Code Development Process
• Economic Recovery Act - H.R. 1 and Building Code
• The Public and Building Officials
• Fire Safety and Green Building