International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
Established in 1987, International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) is a nonprofit, membership-based organization that advances Geothermal Heat Pump technology on the local, state, national and international levels. IGSHPA operates as an outreach unit of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) at Oklahoma State University. IGSHPA is an association of companies, professionals and users dedicated to promoting the science, utility and use of geothermal (ground source) heating and cooling technology. IGSHPA accomplishes its mission by:
- Advocating for ground source pump technology
- Distributing reliable insight and education
- Promoting basic and applied research
- Providing a clearinghouse for relevant information
- Serving as a forum for the development and dissemination of standards
Primary Efforts
IGSHPA is the main organization for establishing standards of practice and standards of design for Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) systems in the US.[1] Companion organizations have been formed in association with IGSHPA in other countries and continents (see Associated Organizations below).
IGSHPA is also the only source of government acknowledged training and certification for GHP applications. Below is a list of the principal IGSHPA trainings and certifications currently provided.
Certifications and Trainings
IGSHPA provides professional training for engineers and contractors in the field of Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP). The following are the current certifications available in the GHP field:
- Accredited Installer
A comprehensive training and certification program for contractors and engineers in the GHP industry. Having obtained an Accredited Installer certification is required for GHP work on most commercial construction jobs.
- Accredited Vertical Loop Installer
A thorough training on the science and practical application of Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) vertical GHEX. This course and certification is primarily for well drillers who wish to enter the GHP market with its unique technological and material requirements.
- Certified GeoExchange Designer (CGD)
This is the premier certification available for engineers and other Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) professionals. It is a comprehensive training and test covering all aspects of the application of GHP systems for commercial use. See also Association of Energy Engineers who co-manages the CGD certification with IGSHPA.
Conferences
Each year the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) host annual conference for geothermal community representatives, including manufacturers, contractors, distributors, drillers and other industry resources.
Research
- "National Certification Standard for Ground Source Heat Pump Personnel"[1]
- Worked on by Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, UT-Battelle, LLC dba Oak Ridge National Laboratory, OSU dba International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, Kelly Group LLC, Colorado Geo Energy & Heat Pump Association, National Ground Water Association, and Meline Engineering Corporation
- OG&E Ground Source Heat Exchanger Study
- Research and Development Initiative[2]
- In-Situ Test Thermal Response Tests Interpretations[3]
- Archive Data from Hope Crossing Habitat for Humanity Project
Standards
IGSHPA sets and revises standards for Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) system installs based on ongoing research and field application results. These standards are accepted as the industry standard and are enforced and accepted by several of the leading engineering and HVAC bodies including: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), CSA Group
- 2014 Design and Installation Standards[4]
- New GHP Standards
IGSHPA recently helped support a bi-national North American effort to establish a more comprehensive referenceable standard for Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) system design and installation under the auspices of the CSA Group. This effort has been given the designation CSA C448-15, Design and installation of ground source heat pump systems for commercial and residential buildings. This new standard has completed technical review and approval, but has not quite been published as of this entry.
See also
- Ground Source Heat Pump Systems: State of Industry by James E. Bose, Water Well Journal, August 2003[5]
- Ground Source Heat Pumps: From Green to Gold [6]
- Association of Energy Engineers
- Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP)
- Thermal Battery
- Renewable Thermal Energy
External links
- International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
- Oklahoma State University
- OSU College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT)
References
- 1 2 Kelly, John. "National Certification Standard for Ground Source Heat Pump Personnel". SciTech Connect. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ↑ Ballard, Michael. "Research and Development Initiative" (PDF). OGE Energy Corp. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ↑ Beier, Richard; Ewbank, Ewbank. "In-Situ Test Thermal Response Tests Interpretations - OG&E Ground Source Heat Exchange Study" (PDF). IGSHPA. IGSHPA. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ↑ "Closed-Loop/ Geothermal Heat Pump Systems - Design and Installation Standards 2014 Edition" (PDF). IGSHPA. International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.
- ↑ Bose, James. "Ground Source Heat Pump Systems: State of Industry" (PDF). ngwa.org. NGWA - Water Well Journal - August 2003.
- ↑ "Ground Source Heat Pumps: From Green to Gold" (PDF). okcareertech.org.